17/02/2021  Happy Valley  Race 7

MULTIPLE STAR shifted out at the start, resulting in METHANE being tightened for room inside VILLA FIONN. After this, VILLA FIONN was steadied to obtain cover. EL JEFE and WINNING VOLATILITY bumped shortly after the start. EL JEFE and WINNING VOLATILITY were then shifted across behind runners to obtain cover from wide barriers. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, DREAM WARRIORS shifted in and bumped FAST PACE, resulting in FAST PACE racing tight outside MULTIPLE STAR. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, SHANGHAI GRACE raced tight outside FAST PACE which made the turn awkwardly. Approaching the 600 Metres, STAY CHILL and METHANE raced very tight as STAY CHILL attempted to improve to the outside of MULTIPLE STAR which was coming under pressure and METHANE which was attempting to maintain its position. Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, STAY CHILL was checked and lost ground when crowded for room between METHANE and MULTIPLE STAR which shifted out when continuing to give ground abruptly. As MULTIPLE STAR continued to give ground, VILLA FIONN was hampered in consequence passing the 500 Metres and WINNING VOLATILITY, which was racing behind VILLA FIONN, was inconvenienced. After this, MULTIPLE STAR continued to give ground and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of MULTIPLE STAR immediately following the race found that horse to have an intermittent displacement of the soft palate. The performance of MULTIPLE STAR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MULTIPLE STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Over the concluding stages, WINNING VOLATILITY raced tight inside FAST PACE (N Callan) which shifted in under pressure. N Callan was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. After the race, C Y Ho stated that after riding his mount vigorously in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed, SHANGHAI GRACE was left racing very wide passing the winning post on the first occasion and therefore he elected to steady his mount in an attempt to obtain cover rather than continue to obtain a forward position. He said SHANGHAI GRACE was left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres and when the tempo of the race slowed near the 900 Metres, he allowed SHANGHAI GRACE to improve its position to race outside the lead passing the 700 Metres. When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was instructed to ride DREAM WARRIORS positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode DREAM WARRIORS along, however, FAST PACE maintained its position to the inside of DREAM WARRIORS and DREAM WARRIORS was not showing sufficient speed to be able to cross that horse. He said as he was aware that there were a considerable number of runners to the inside of FAST PACE, he believed that to persevere to obtain a forward position would take too much out of DREAM WARRIORS and therefore passing the winning post on the first occasion when racing very wide he elected to steady DREAM WARRIORS and shift the horse across behind runners to obtain cover which he was able to do approaching the 1200 Metres. He said this resulted in DREAM WARRIORS racing further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of DREAM WARRIORS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EL JEFE and STAY CHILL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MALDIVES, VILLA FIONN and FAST PACE were sent for sampling.