06/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that FIGHTING STAR had blood in the mouth. FIGHTING STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. On jumping, COMMON ROOM was bumped by JADE THEATRE which in turn was bumped by SIGHT HERO after that horse was taken in by HARRIER JET. From wide barriers, BABY and GALLANT WAKING were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, ARES shifted in and brushed HARRIER JET. HARRIER JET then shifted in away from ARES, resulting in SIGHT HERO racing tight outside JADE THEATRE. After the 800 Metres, NOBLE DESIRE commenced to travel keenly and near the 700 Metres got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HARRIER JET as that horse was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SIGHT HERO. Passing the 700 Metres, SIGHT HERO also commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of EVER FORCE and in doing so brushed FIERY DIAMOND. When SIGHT HERO shifted in to resume racing behind EVER FORCE, HARRIER JET, which was proving very difficult to settle, was checked away from the heels of that horse and in turn shifted in, resulting in NOBLE DESIRE, which was also continuing to over-race, being steadied away from the heels of HARRIER JET. FIGHTING STAR, which was following HARRIER JET, was hampered in consequence. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, NOBLE DESIRE got its head on the side and lay out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of COMMON ROOM. At the entrance to the Straight, JADE THEATRE was shifted in away from the heels of EVER FORCE. After the 300 Metres, NOBLE DESIRE was steadied when disappointed for running between HAPPY GATHERING and COMMON ROOM which shifted out. Passing the 250 Metres, COMMON ROOM was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FIERY DIAMOND which shifted out. NOBLE DESIRE, which was following COMMON ROOM, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. When attempting to improve into tight running between HAPPY GATHERING and HARRIER JET, NOBLE DESIRE was steadied passing the 100 Metres when disappointed for running between those horses, both of which shifted a marginal amount of ground. This resulted in NOBLE DESIRE being awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY GATHERING over the concluding stages. Throughout the race, FIERY DIAMOND travelled wide and without cover. After the race, C L Chau stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride NOBLE DESIRE in about a midfield position or behind midfield with cover if possible. Also after the race, it was noted that JADE THEATRE had sustained a minor laceration to the left hind heel. SIGHT HERO, GALLANT WAKING and COMMON ROOM were sent for sampling.