27/01/2021  Happy Valley  Race 4

NOBLE BOYZ and HELAKU KNIGHT began only fairly. SACRED GIANT began awkwardly and made contact with the hindquarters of TOP SCORE which was inconvenienced by PEAK TO PEAK which shifted out on jumping. After leaving the 1100 Metres, PHENOMENAL COMBO was awkwardly placed behind WIN TECH. CIGAR BUDDIES lay out making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres. ROMANTIC TROVE raced wide rounding the first turn when being steadied to obtain cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, CIGAR BUDDIES got its head on the side, hung out across the heels of PEAK TO PEAK and was checked. WIN TECH, which was racing outside CIGAR BUDDIES, was severely hampered and forced wider. The racing manners of CIGAR BUDDIES were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CIGAR BUDDIES will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. Upon straightening, EVER FORCE became unbalanced when attempting to improve inside CHAMP PATROL. Approaching the 200 Metres, CHAMP PATROL was hampered when crowded for room inside HAPPY TANGO which hung in away from PEAK TO PEAK. Then after the 200 Metres, HAPPY TANGO, which was still inclined to hang in, was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PEAK TO PEAK (J Moreira) which shifted in when placed under pressure. J Moreira was told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more effort to keep his mounts straight. Approaching the 150 Metres, ROMANTIC TROVE shifted out under pressure, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount. After the race, Apprentice K H Chan stated that he was instructed to be positive on CHAMP PATROL and take up a forward position and if possible to find cover behind the leaders. He said after riding CHAMP PATROL along approaching the first turn, he was positioned to the outside of EVER FORCE and when that horse was steadied, he allowed CHAMP PATROL to cross that runner and hoped that HAPPY TANGO, which was improving to his outside, would press on, cross CHAMP PATROL and provide him with cover. He said however that when that horse maintained its position outside CHAMP PATROL along the Back Straight, CHAMP PATROL raced very keenly and would not settle. He added when placed under pressure in the Straight CHAMP PATROL gave no response and weakened. He said, in his view, this was as a consequence of CHAMP PATROL failing to settle in the early and middle stages when left racing in the lead. Apprentice Chan also advised that on pulling up CHAMP PATROL coughed on a number of occasions. A veterinary inspection of CHAMP PATROL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HELAKU KNIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EVER FORCE and PEAK TO PEAK were sent for sampling.