07/07/2021  Happy Valley  Race 3

On arrival at the Start, C Y Ho expressed concern regarding the action of HARDLY SWEARS. An examination of HARDLY SWEARS by the Veterinary Officer did not reveal any significant findings. The Veterinary Officer said that after the necessary consultations HARDLY SWEARS was deemed suitable to race. A veterinary inspection of HARDLY SWEARS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. From wide barriers, A SMILE LIKE YOURS, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE and HARDLY SWEARS were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, RED BRICK FIGHTER was momentarily eased away from the heels of MUDITA (V Borges) which shifted in when not quite clear. V Borges was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 1000 Metres, A SMILE LIKE YOURS was crowded for room between AURORA PEGASUS which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider and COSMO CLASSIC which also got its head on the side, made the turn awkwardly and shifted out. As there was no rider carelessness associated with this incident, no further action was taken. Also passing the 1000 Metres, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped HARDLY SWEARS. After this, HARDLY SWEARS was ridden along to clear runners to its inside when racing wide and without cover. Passing the 750 Metres, HARDLY SWEARS became unbalanced when travelling keenly and being checked away from the heels of MUDITA which was being steadied to obtain cover behind CHIRON. Passing the 550 Metres, AURORA PEGASUS was awkwardly placed behind RED BRICK FIGHTER. After being shifted to the inside of VICTORY IN HAND passing the 300 Metres, NOIR RIDER became momentarily unbalanced of its own accord. Passing the 250 Metres, VICTORY IN HAND momentarily raced tight inside FIRE BALL which got its head on the side and lay in. After initially being directed to the inside of CHIRON near the 150 Metres, AURORA PEGASUS was directed to the outside of that horse passing the 100 Metres to obtain clear running. Close to the finishing line, A SMILE LIKE YOURS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CHIRON which lay in under pressure. The performance of COSMO CLASSIC, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. As this was the second time in two starts that COSMO CLASSIC had finished tailed out, that horse will be required to undertake a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to being allowed to race again. A veterinary inspection of COSMO CLASSIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, K Teetan stated that after being ridden along to obtain a forward position from the outside barrier, VICTORY IN HAND travelled too keenly in the early and middle stages and because of this was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY IN HAND immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left hind leg and also a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY IN HAND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FIRE BALL and AURORA PEGASUS were sent for sampling.