03/02/2021  Happy Valley  Race 7

SUNNY LAD, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly. XIANG BAI QI shifted in at the start, resulting in GIFT OF LIFELINE being tightened onto the hindquarters of SUNNY LAD which in turn made contact with BREEDERS’ DING which was taken out by INCANTO PREPARED which shifted out after making contact with CHEERS BABY. From wide barriers, TOTAL POWER, NAMJONG PLUS and KYRUS UNICORN were all shifted across behind runners soon after the start. XIANG BAI QI and TOTAL POWER made contact on a number of occasions prior to the 800 Metres and after leaving the 800 Metres were both checked after improving to be racing close to the heels of KYRUS UNICORN and SUNNY LAD respectively. After leaving the 600 Metres, SMILING CITY was awkwardly placed near the heels of EXCEPTIONAL NICE when attempting to shift out and improve into tight running between that horse and SUNNY LAD which improved quickly to its outside. An inquiry was conducted into an incident which occurred near the 500 Metres where XIANG BAI QI was checked. It was established that approaching the 500 Metres XIANG BAI QI, KYRUS UNICORN and NAMJONG PLUS improved into tight running between BREEDERS’ DING and GIFT OF LIFELINE (K Teetan). It was further established that a short distance later GIFT OF LIFELINE shifted out marginally before being corrected and directed back in to resume its position on the rail. This resulted in NAMJONG PLUS, KYRUS UNICORN and XIANG BAI QI being further crowded and XIANG BAI QI being checked when forced out across the heels of BREEDERS’ DING which shifted in marginally. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that there were a number of contributing factors to this incident, K Teetan was nonetheless advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. The performance of BREEDERS’ DING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BREEDERS’ DING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of KYRUS UNICORN and BREEDERS’ DING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INCANTO PREPARED and EXCEPTIONAL NICE were sent for sampling.