05/05/2021  Happy Valley  Race 8

FIGHTING STAR began only fairly. KINDA COOL shifted in at the start and bumped HAPPY GOOD GUYS which in turn shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of WINSTON’S LAD which became unbalanced. BEAUTY AMIGO shifted out at the start and bumped CAPITAL STAR. CASIMIRO was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 300 Metres, WINE AND WINE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CAPITAL STAR which shifted in. WINSTON’S LAD, which was improving to the inside of WINE AND WINE, was crowded for room in this incident. After this, WINE AND WINE (R Maia) shifted out marginally before getting its head on the side and shifting in away from CAPITAL STAR which resulted in WINSTON’S LAD being crowded for room and being steadied passing the 150 Metres. R Maia was severely reprimanded and told that whilst the Stewards were of the opinion that there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he should have done more than he did on this occasion to prevent WINE AND WINE from shifting in which resulted in WINSTON’S LAD being hampered. After being hampered, WINSTON’S LAD was directed to the outside of WINE AND WINE at the same time TRANSCENDENT was being directed to the inside of CAPITAL STAR which was giving ground. TRANSCENDENT was then checked passing the 100 Metres when unable to improve between CAPITAL STAR which continued to give ground and WINSTON’S LAD (M L Yeung) which shifted out. In this incident, TRANSCENDENT stumbled badly and shifted in, resulting in CASIMIRO being checked. The Stewards formed the view that TRANSCENDENT was being shifted to the inside of CAPITAL STAR at precisely the same time that WINSTON’S LAD was being directed to the outside of WINE AND WINE. As they were of the opinion that TRANSCENDENT had not properly established running between CAPITAL STAR and WINSTON’S LAD and that at the time that WINSTON’S LAD commenced to shift out, that horse was sufficiently clear of TRANSCENDENT, no further action was action, however, M L Yeung was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground to ensure that his movements do not result in interference to other runners. After the race, H N Wong reported that HAPPY GOOD GUYS was making an abnormal breathing noise throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY GOOD GUYS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. <6/5/2021 Additional Veterinary Reports>CAPITAL STAR, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. CAPITAL STAR was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C Fownes this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, CAPITAL STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. After the race, Apprentice K H Chan stated that CAPITAL STAR stumbled on entering the track which he notified the Veterinary Officer of on arrival at the Start. He said after being examined by the Veterinary Officer CAPITAL STAR was found to be suitable to race and he was similarly satisfied to ride CAPITAL STAR. He said whilst he had to make some use of CAPITAL STAR in the early stages to cross runners to his inside, he believed that he was able to shift across to race outside HARMONY N BLESSED after the 900 Metres without having to make too much use of the horse. He said CAPITAL STAR travelled only fairly in the middle stages and came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres. He said, despite being ridden along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, CAPITAL STAR did not respond to his riding and gave ground noticeably over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of CAPITAL STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, CAPITAL STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TRANSCENDENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAJESTIC STAR and KINDA COOL were sent for sampling.