20/10/2021  Happy Valley  Race 5

RED MAJESTY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then was bumped by STAY CHILL which shifted out. ALL JOYFUL shifted out on jumping and hampered ORIENTAL AMIGO which was then crowded for room inside HERE WE GO. From wide barriers, SUN OF MAKFI, LOYAL BABY and BULLETPROOF were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. ALL JOYFUL was also steadied in the early stages after being bumped by HERE WE GO on jumping. Near the 1300 Metres, SUN OF MAKFI was severely checked and stumbled when crowded for room inside ALL YOU KNOW which, when racing tight inside LOYAL BABY (C Schofield), got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly. At this time, LOYAL BABY was racing tight outside the hindquarters of ALL JOYFUL which shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART FOLKS. As the Stewards were of the opinion that LOYAL BABY had shifted in marginally when racing tight outside the hindquarters of ALL JOYFUL and that the incident had primarily been the result of ALL YOU KNOW wanting to shift in away from that horse, no further action was taken, however, C Schofield was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside wherever possible. After this, SUN OF MAKFI improved to again be racing inside ALL YOU KNOW which after the 1200 Metres again got its head on the side and lay in away from LOYAL BABY which was racing in a three wide position outside ALL JOYFUL. Near the 1150 Metres, ORIENTAL AMIGO lost ground when crowded for room inside ALL JOYFUL which got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of SMART FOLKS before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to ORIENTAL AMIGO. Passing the 900 Metres, ALL JOYFUL got its head up when awkwardly placed behind SMART FOLKS. When questioned, H T Mo (HERE WE GO) stated that he was instructed to ride his mount positively in the early stages and lead if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount vigorously for a considerable distance in the early stages in order to cross runners to his inside. He said despite riding his mount along, HERE WE GO took some time to muster speed and it was not until near the 1100 Metres that he was able to cross MANNA FROM HEAVEN and to race outside RED MAJESTY. He said as he was of the opinion that HERE WE GO was not showing sufficient speed to cross RED MAJESTY, he steadied his mount immediately upon obtaining the position outside that horse and whilst HERE WE GO travelled keenly, he was able to steady his mount sufficiently to sit marginally behind RED MAJESTY. He added HERE WE GO continued to travel keenly until near the 800 Metres, however, approaching the 700 Metres came under pressure and after this gave ground noticeably. Passing the 500 Metres, ORIENTAL AMIGO was momentarily eased away from the heels of SMART FOLKS which shifted to the inside of HERE WE GO as that horse gave ground. SUN OF MAKFI was unable to avoid HERE WE GO as that horse continued to give ground and after the 400 Metres blundered after striking the heels of HERE WE GO after being severely checked to avoid that horse. After this, HERE WE GO finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of HERE WE GO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Given the manner in which HERE WE GO gave ground abruptly, the Stewards ruled that that horse must undergo a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to being permitted to race again. After the race, ALL JOYFUL became fractious in the winner’s stall and fell, resulting in its rider, C Y Ho, being dislodged. A veterinary examination of ALL JOYFUL after this incident did not reveal any significant findings. C Y Ho was subsequently examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. A veterinary inspection of SUN OF MAKFI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RED MAJESTY, ALL JOYFUL and LOYAL BABY were sent for sampling.