25/05/2022  Happy Valley  Race 7

MIRACULOUS HONOUR, which was fractious in the float when being transported to the course, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse had sustained lacerations to the left hind and both front legs and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, MIRACULOUS HONOUR was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, MIRACULOUS HONOUR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The start was delayed when THETA HEDGE proved very difficult to load. Having regard to THETA HEDGE’s prior record in respect of being difficult to load, the Stewards ruled that that horse must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to being permitted to race again. JIANGXI STAMINA and STAR OF YUEN LONG bumped on jumping, JIANGXI STAMINA was then crowded for room between EXCELLENT PEERS and STAR OF YUEN LONG which shifted in when unbalanced. FIRE BALL shifted out at the start and bumped DREAM CATCHER. FIRE BALL was then crowded for room between DREAM CATCHER and HARRIER JET which shifted out. After this, from wide barriers, FIRE BALL and DREAM CATCHER were steadied to obtain cover. HANDSOME VEGGIE was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. When being vigorously ridden in the early stages to obtain a forward position, STAR OF YUEN LONG became unbalanced approaching the 1000 Metres. Passing the 900 Metres, DREAM CATCHER became unbalanced of its own accord. After the 250 Metres, EXUBERANT lay in under pressure. Throughout the race, HARRIER JET travelled wide and without cover. After the race, M Chadwick stated that, in his opinion, JIANGXI STAMINA is a horse which finishes its races off best when able to maintain its momentum. He said after racing tight inside HANDSOME VEGGIE after the 600 Metres, JIANGXI STAMINA was awkwardly placed behind STAR OF YUEN LONG near the 400 Metres and shifted out and again raced tight inside HANDSOME VEGGIE. He said because JIANGXI STAMINA was not able to maintain its momentum at these critical stages of the race, the horse was then not able to finish the race off over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of JIANGXI STAMINA immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. EXCELLENT PEERS and EXUBERANT were sent for sampling.