27/01/2021  Happy Valley  Race 6

DIVINE UNICORN was slow to begin. PLAY WISE began awkwardly, then shifted out, made contact with GOOD DAYS and consequently lost ground at the start. After the race, M F Poon stated that the intention was for PLAY WISE to be ridden in a forward position, however, after beginning awkwardly, the horse failed to muster speed in the early stages. HAR HAR HEART and DREAM WARRIORS bumped at the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, GOOD DAYS was crowded for room inside HAR HAR HEART which, after initially being taken in by DAILY BEAUTY (J Moreira), got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse. Whilst the Stewards accepted that the racing manners of HAR HAR HEART had contributed to the incident, nonetheless J Moreira was reprimanded for initially placing some pressure on that runner. In the early stages, SHANGHAI GRACE was left racing wide and without cover. SHANGHAI GRACE was consequently allowed to improve its position to settle outside the leader MISTER MONTE at the 1100 Metres at which stage MONSTER KAKA was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance after the 300 Metres, PLAY WISE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DAILY BEAUTY when attempting to obtain a narrow run between that horse and HAR HAR HEART. SHANGHAI GRACE lay out under pressure in the Straight. After the race, C Soumillon stated that although CHARIZARD raced in the box seat throughout the event, the horse came under pressure prior to the Home Turn to maintain its position. He said CHARIZARD was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race in the Straight and raced "flat”. A veterinary inspection of CHARIZARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DAILY BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHARIZARD, DREAM WARRIORS and V CHEVALIERS were sent for sampling.