23/03/2022  Happy Valley  Race 5

Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that ICE LEGEND had sustained an abrasion to its right hind leg when being transported to Happy Valley for tonight’s racemeeting, that horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, ICE LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WIN CHARM shifted out at the start and bumped E LEGEND. FARSHAD shifted out on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of COURAGEOUS KNIGHT which became unbalanced. FARSHAD was then crowded for room between COURAGEOUS KNIGHT and GLORIOUS LOVER. After this, FARSHAD was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. FEARLESS FIRE began awkwardly and then from the outside barrier was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. GLORIOUS LOVER and COURAGEOUS KNIGHT were also steadied to obtain cover shortly after the start. Passing the 1300 Metres, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NIMBLE NIMBUS for some distance. Passing the 1200 Metres, FAITHFUL TRINITY shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY MISSILE and raced tight inside WIN CHARM. FAITHFUL TRINITY was then steadied away from the heels of LUCKY MISSILE near the 1150 Metres when unable to improve between that horse and WIN CHARM which maintained its position. When FAITHFUL TRINITY was steadied, E LEGEND, which had improved to be racing tight inside the heels of FAITHFUL TRINITY, was checked away from that horse. VIVA POPCORN, which was travelling keenly, was checked away from the heels of E LEGEND in consequence and then was awkwardly placed between that horse and NIMBLE NIMBUS passing the 1100 Metres. COURAGEOUS KNIGHT, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was also hampered in consequence. COURAGEOUS KNIGHT then continued to travel keenly and near the 950 Metres was awkwardly placed behind NIMBLE NIMBUS. As a result of the pace slackening after the 1100 Metres, FARSHAD was allowed to improve its position after the 1000 Metres and then travelled wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. After the 900 Metres, VIVA POPCORN was crowded for room inside NIMBLE NIMBUS which got its head on the side and lay in away from the heels of OUR CREED. VIVA POPCORN was held up for clear running approaching and passing the 400 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, OUR CREED was shifted in away from the heels of FAITHFUL TRINITY. Then passing the 300 Metres, OUR CREED was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FAITHFUL TRINITY as that horse got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. Near the 125 Metres, FAITHFUL TRINITY was steadied away from the heels of E LEGEND (M L Yeung) which shifted out under pressure. M L Yeung was reprimanded. After the race, A Badel (WIN CHARM) reported that given the manner in which the horse weakened out of the race in the Straight, it may not have handled tonight’s track surface. A veterinary inspection of WIN CHARM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FAITHFUL TRINITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY MISSILE and E LEGEND were sent for sampling.