01/12/2021  Happy Valley  Race 3

SHOWINA was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, SHOWINA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SAVVY DELIGHT shifted in at the start and bumped AHEAD A HEAD which in turn was taken in onto MASTER AQUA, resulting in MASTER AQUA being crowded for room outside the heels of TREASURE OF FIELD. THE JOLLY shifted out at the start and bumped CORDYCEPS TWO. After this, from wide barriers, THE JOLLY and CORDYCEPS TWO were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, JUBILATION was also steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. SAVVY DELIGHT travelled keenly after the 1100 Metres when being steadied to obtain cover. Then after the 1000 Metres, when continuing to travel keenly, SAVVY DELIGHT was crowded for room between AHEAD A HEAD and SMART IDEA which, when also travelling keenly, shifted in away from INNO LEGEND. CORDYCEPS TWO made the turn near the 1000 Metres awkwardly. Passing the 900 Metres, SMART IDEA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of INNO LEGEND. Passing the 600 Metres, SAVVY DELIGHT became unbalanced when racing keenly and awkwardly placed behind AHEAD A HEAD. SAVVY DELIGHT was then steadied away from the heels of AHEAD A HEAD after the 500 Metres and again approaching the 400 Metres. THE JOLLY had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, AHEAD A HEAD (C L Chau) was shifted to the inside of MOON PEAKS to obtain clear running. When being shifted in, AHEAD A HEAD shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider which resulted in MASTER AQUA (B Shinn) becoming unbalanced when crowded for room inside AHEAD A HEAD. As the Stewards were of the opinion that C L Chau had made every endeavour to prevent AHEAD A HEAD from shifting in abruptly at this time, no further action was taken. B Shinn stated that he was unable to offer an explanation for the manner in which MASTER AQUA weakened over the latter stages after being crowded for room. He said the horse had travelled well to that point of time behind the lead and he anticipated that it would finish off the race, however, as soon as MASTER AQUA became unbalanced passing the 300 Metres, it did not stretch out. A veterinary inspection of MASTER AQUA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SAVVY DELIGHT had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres. After the 150 Metres, AHEAD A HEAD raced in restricted room when improving into tight running between TREASURE OF FIELD and MOON PEAKS. Close to the finishing line, AHEAD A HEAD and MOON PEAKS raced tight. After the race, J Moreira stated that, in his opinion, the horse’s failure to finish off the race was primarily attributable to it having to travel in a three wide position and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of INNO LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INNO LEGEND, SMART IDEA and MOON PEAKS were sent for sampling.