26/05/2021  Happy Valley  Race 6

ZELUS and MR LUMIERES began awkwardly. TELECOM SMART began only fairly. CASA KINGDOM began only fairly and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From a wide barrier, EASY FORTUNE was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. WHO LOVES THE ACE shifted in at the start and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LORIZ. Passing the 300 Metres, TELECOM SMART was directed to the inside of TEAM GOODLUCK to obtain clear running. Also passing the 300 Metres, EASY FORTUNE got its head on the side, shifted in abruptly and became unbalanced of its own accord. Close to the finishing line, TELECOM SMART raced tight inside JOLLY GOOD HEART when improving quickly to the inside of that horse. Throughout the race, MR LUMIERES travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards considered an application submitted by Mr C S Shum, the trainer of HOT CHILI PEPPER, for that horse to be declared a non-runner on the grounds that HOT CHILI PEPPER had not been afforded a fair start. After taking evidence from Mr Shum, M Chadwick, the rider of HOT CHILI PEPPER, and Mr C McMullen, the Starter, the Stewards found that after being placed in the barriers HOT CHILI PEPPER became fractious and momentarily got its head down. After being corrected, HOT CHILI PEPPER then stood satisfactorily until, simultaneously with the start being effected, the horse became fractious and got its head down abruptly, resulting in M Chadwick becoming badly unbalanced and taking his right hand away from the reins in an endeavour to balance himself. This resulted in HOT CHILI PEPPER losing a substantial amount of ground. As the Stewards were satisfied that at the time of the start being effected, HOT CHILI PEPPER was standing satisfactorily and that simultaneously with the start being effected HOT CHILI PEPPER got its head down of its own accord and that the horse missing the start was of its own doing, they ruled that HOT CHILI PEPPER had been afforded a fair start and accordingly the horse was declared a runner. Before being allowed to race again, HOT CHILI PEPPER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. A veterinary inspection of CASA KINGDOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HOT CHILI PEPPER immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. JOLLY GOOD HEART and TELECOM SMART were sent for sampling.