09/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 3

AMAZING BOY, which began awkwardly, and LUCKY MISSILE were crowded for room on jumping between LUCKY VICTOR which shifted in marginally and EVER JOY which got its head on the side and shifted out. In this incident, LUCKY VICTOR became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by AMAZING BOY. DIAMOND STAR was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, PRESIDENT STAR was also steadied in the early stages and after the 1400 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. After travelling a short distance, PRIME STAR shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of SHANGHAI GRACE. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, AMAZING BOY was steadied when racing tight inside SMART COUSIN which in turn was racing tight inside LUCKY MISSILE. Also passing the winning post on the first occasion, SHANGHAI GRACE was steadied away from the heels of WAH MAY LUCK which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of EVER JOY. Passing the 1100 Metres, SHANGHAI GRACE got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind NOBLE MAN. Then after the 1000 Metres, SHANGHAI GRACE continued to over-race and after being very awkwardly placed behind NOBLE MAN shifted to the outside of that horse near the 950 Metres. After this, SHANGHAI GRACE was allowed to improve its position to race in the lead after the 700 Metres. Approaching the 900 Metres, PRIME STAR became unbalanced when awkwardly placed outside the heels of DRAGON PRIDE. Passing the 700 Metres, LUCKY MISSILE and PRESIDENT STAR raced tight. Near the 650 Metres, SMART COUSIN raced in restricted room between LUCKY MISSILE and NOBLE MAN after improving into tight running between those horses. For some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres, NOBLE MAN was taken back through the field by LUCKY VICTOR which commenced to give ground. AMAZING BOY was awkwardly placed behind WAH MAY LUCK passing the 400 Metres when held up for clear running. DRAGON PRIDE and AMAZING BOY bumped just prior to the winning post. After the race, K H Chan reported that when giving ground abruptly after the 500 Metres, LUCKY VICTOR’s action deteriorated noticeably and for this reason he eased the horse down over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY VICTOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY VICTOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DRAGON PRIDE and DIAMOND STAR were sent for sampling.