20/10/2021  Happy Valley  Race 1

TIGERLAD began very awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in TIGERLAD being awkwardly placed inside SUNNY SMILE which shifted in after bumping SHANGHAI POWER on jumping. After this, despite being ridden along, TIGERLAD was slow to muster speed. GOLDEN MISSION shifted in at the start and bumped GOODMANSHIP. WHO LOVES THE ACE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. WHO’S HORSE shifted out and bumped AFTER ME a short distance after the start. Despite being vigorously ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, FANTASTIC FABIO failed to muster speed and passing the 1000 Metres was steadied, however, throughout the race travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of FANTASTIC FABIO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After travelling a short distance, WHO’S HORSE lost ground when crowded for room between AFTER ME and ALLOY KING which shifted out. In this incident, WHO’S HORSE bumped the hindquarters of AFTER ME which became unbalanced. SUNNY SMILE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Rounding the Home Turn, GOLDEN MISSION raced tight outside AFTER ME which shifted out. TIGERLAD, which was following GOLDEN MISSION, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse when being shifted to the outside of GOLDEN MISSION to obtain clear running. Passing the 50 Metres, WHO’S HORSE was steadied away from the heels of SHANGHAI POWER (M F Poon) which shifted in. M F Poon was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. After the race, H W Lai (AFTER ME) reported that after coming under heavy pressure passing the 600 Metres, AFTER ME did not quicken and then felt unbalanced in its action in the Straight when giving ground. A veterinary inspection of AFTER ME immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, AFTER ME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALLOY KING and DAY DAY RICH were sent for sampling.