20/01/2021  Happy Valley  Race 8

DIVINE REGULUS, which was very fractious in the barriers, missed the start. Before being allowed to race again, DIVINE REGULUS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. MR LUMIERES began awkwardly and then soon after the start bumped with STARZ HERO. Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, MR LUMIERES was steadied away from the heels of SCORES OF FUN (V Borges) which shifted in when not fully clear. When steadied, MR LUMIERES shifted in and made contact with STARZ HERO, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. V Borges was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. Approaching the 900 Metres, MR LUMIERES was steadied when awkwardly placed inside SPARKLING DRAGON which improved to be racing tight inside the heels of HARMONY N HOME which was being steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the turn near the 600 Metres, ARES lay in and raced awkwardly close to the heels of THOU SHALL SING. Approaching the 500 Metres, LITTLE BIRD was steadied when awkwardly placed between SCORES OF FUN which shifted out slightly and ARES which shifted in slightly as it came under pressure. LITTLE BIRD continued to race in restricted room inside the heels of ARES approaching the Home Turn and at the 400 Metres was again steadied due to ARES laying in as it commenced to give ground. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Rounding the Home Turn, SPARKLING DRAGON was awkwardly placed near the heels of HARMONY N HOME when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. When improving into a tight run between THOU SHALL SING and EQUALETTA BLITZ approaching the 200 Metres, SCORES OF FUN made contact with the hindquarters of EQUALETTA BLITZ which then lay in, resulting in SCORES OF FUN and THOU SHALL SING being momentarily crowded. Approaching the 100 Metres, M F Poon (THOU SHALL SING) dropped his right rein. Throughout the race, EQUALETTA BLITZ travelled wide and without cover. ARES also travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of ARES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Immediately following the race, the Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident occurred involving IMA SINGLE MAN which cast sufficient doubt as to whether that horse should be declared a runner. Subsequently Apprentice C L Chau and Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of IMA SINGLE MAN, made application to the Stewards for IMA SINGLE MAN to be declared a non-runner on the grounds that the horse had not been afforded a fair start. After taking evidence from Apprentice Chan, Mr Cruz and Mr A Speechley, Starter, and after viewing the official videos, it was established that IMA SINGLE MAN, which was very fractious in the barriers and reared on a number of occasions, again reared simultaneously with the start being effected. The Stewards were of the view that IMA SINGLE MAN had caused its own problem by being fractious in the barriers and that it was not possible for the Starter to have anticipated that the horse would again rear as he effected the start. The Stewards were therefore satisfied the horse had been afforded a fair start and accordingly IMA SINGLE MAN was declared a runner. Apprentice Chau stated that after missing the start badly, he rode IMA SINGLE MAN along, however, the horse failed to give any response and became detached from the field. He said he continued to ride the horse along in the Back Straight, however, IMA SINGLE MAN remained detached from the field and would not pick up the bit and make up ground. A veterinary inspection of IMA SINGLE MAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The barrier manners and performance of IMA SINGLE MAN, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, IMA SINGLE MAN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding SEVEN HEAVENS being ridden in the lead, Apprentice K H Chan stated that his instructions were to jump well and then to find cover, hopefully near midfield. He said SEVEN HEAVENS began very well and took up a forward position without being pressured. He said rounding the first turn he was racing in a three wide position slightly in advance of LITTLE BIRD to his inside. He said as SEVEN HEAVENS was travelling well, he allowed his mount to improve forward of LITTLE BIRD into the lead rather than racing wide and without cover. He said as a consequence SEVEN HEAVENS raced in a more prominent position than was intended. When questioned, Z Purton stated that HARMONY N HOME was forced to race wide but with cover throughout the event. He said when brought to the outside of runners immediately upon straightening, HARMONY N HOME did not respond to his riding and felt short in its action. He added as the horse was giving no response under hands and heels riding, he did not believe it was necessary to pull the whip on HARMONY N HOME. A veterinary inspection of HARMONY N HOME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HARMONY N HOME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. IMA SINGLE MAN, SCORES OF FUN and SPARKLING DRAGON were sent for sampling.