01/12/2021  Happy Valley  Race 9

DIAMOND BRILLIANT shifted out at the start and bumped FIRST RESPONDER which resulted in FIRST RESPONDER being taken out onto FAMILY FOLKS which was crowded for room after initially shifting out and bumping ROCK YA HEART. When being ridden along in the early stages, HARRIET JET was crowded for room shortly after the start between YOU’REMYEVERYTHING and THE RUNNER which shifted out. After this, HARRIET JET and YOU’REMYEVERYTHING were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, HARMONY N HOME was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. THE RUNNER got its head on the side and lay out making the turn after the 500 Metres. When improving into tight running between DIAMOND BRILLIANT and FIRST RESPONDER after the 150 Metres, FAMILY FOLKS raced tight outside the heels of DIAMOND BRILLIANT approaching the 100 Metres as that horse shifted out marginally under pressure. After the 100 Metres, HARMONY N HOME was shifted out away from the heels of GOODLUCK GOODLUCK after being disappointed for running between that horse and FIRST RESPONDER. At the 50 Metres, ROCK YA HEART was bumped by HARRIET JET which was shifted in away from the heels of SPECIAL M as that horse was giving ground. Throughout the race, QUADRUPLE DOUBLE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, K C Leung (GOODLUCK GOODLUCK) stated that it was felt that tonight’s race would be run at a good tempo and that there were runners drawn both inside and outside of GOODLUCK GOODLUCK which would be ridden to obtain a forward position in the early stages, in particular it was anticipated that DIAMOND BRILLIANT, FIRST RESPONDER, FAMILY FOLKS and ROCK YA HEART, which were all drawn inside GOODLUCK GOODLUCK, would be ridden positively which may have resulted in GOODLUCK GOODLUCK having to race wide and without cover or too much use having to be made of the horse in the early stages to clear those runners. He said he was therefore asked to ride GOODLUCK GOODLUCK behind the speed if the horses drawn more favourably than GOODLUCK GOODLUCK showed early speed as anticipated. He said when runners drawn inside GOODLUCK GOODLUCK did show early speed, he elected to obtain a trailing position passing the 1100 Metres to provide his mount with the best opportunity to finish off the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ROCK YA HEART, C Y Ho stated that the horse, which was having its first race start at Happy Valley tonight after having not previously barrier trialed at the circuit, was able to obtain a forward position without having to be made use of. He said when ROCK YA HEART was racing in a three wide position passing the 1000 Metres, he allowed the horse to use its early speed and clear FIRST RESPONDER and DIAMOND BRILLIANT. He said in obtaining the lead he did not have to ride the horse along at any stage. He said along the Back Straight ROCK YA HEART would not relax as he had hoped with SPECIAL M and QUADRUPLE DOUBLE racing to its outside. He said whilst ROCK YA HEART did not travel any more keenly tonight than it had at its previous starts, nonetheless the horse did not relax as he had hoped. He added ROCK YA HEART travelled only fairly after the 600 Metres and, in his opinion, was already under pressure prior to the 400 Metres. He said he rode his mount along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, however, ROCK YA HEART did not respond to his riding and then gave ground noticeably over the latter stages. He said, in his opinion, ROCK YA HEART’s failure to relax in tonight’s race, together with the horse still being immature and racing at Happy Valley for the first time, were the principle reasons for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of ROCK YA HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of ROCK YA HEART, which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ROCK YA HEART will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, C L Chau stated that after obtaining a good run behind the speed in the early and middle stages, FIRST RESPONDER quickened satisfactorily rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He added over the concluding stages FIRST RESPONDER did not finish off the race as anticipated and, in his opinion, was disappointing tonight. A veterinary inspection of FIRST RESPONDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPECIAL M immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FAMILY FOLKS and THE RUNNER were sent for sampling.