22/06/2022  Happy Valley  Race 7

GOODLUCK GOODLUCK shifted out at the start and bumped ATULLIBIGEAL and at the same time FLYING SEASON shifted in and bumped OUR LUCKY GLORY. ATULLIBIGEAL and OUR LUCKY GLORY were then badly crowded for room between GOODLUCK GOODLUCK which continued to shift out and FLYING SEASON, which after being bumped on the hindquarters by OUR LUCKY GLORY, was then crowded for room inside JOLLY GOOD HEART which shifted in. This resulted in ATULLIBIGEAL, OUR LUCKY GLORY and FLYING SEASON all being hampered and losing ground. ELON and NAMJONG SINGS bumped at the start. After the 900 Metres, OUR LUCKY GLORY was steadied away from the heels of ATULLIBIGEAL. ELON travelled keenly in the middle stages. YO BEAUTY travelled wide and without cover until passing the 600 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FLYING SEASON, Z Purton stated that it was intended for FLYING SEASON to be ridden in a handy position tonight, but after being hampered on jumping, FLYING SEASON was required to race further back in the field than had been anticipated. He said FLYING SEASON made the turn after the 1000 Metres awkwardly and shifted out when on the wrong lead leg. He said FLYING SEASON was reluctant to maintain its position racing along the Back Straight and then again made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly and lay out. He added that passing the 500 Metres FLYING SEASON came under heavy pressure and continued to lay out and then did not finish the race off in the Straight. Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, FLYING SEASON’s best runs so far were in straight course races at Sha Tin rather than race around a bend and he was also of the belief that the horse did not handle the Happy Valley circuit at its first time of asking in a race. A veterinary inspection of FLYING SEASON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FLYING SEASON, favourite for tonight’s race and which finished towards the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING SEASON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Mr C S Shum, trainer of NAMJONG SINGS, stated that, from barrier 10, he was concerned that NAMJONG SINGS would be left racing wide and without cover if the horse were to be ridden for speed tonight. He said he felt that there were a number of horses engaged in tonight’s race which had previously shown good pace in the early stages of their previous races and believed that NAMJONG SINGS may not have sufficient speed to be able to cross those runners without having to have too much use made of it. He said therefore he felt the best option was for the horse to be ridden in midfield with cover. He said due to the circumstances of the race NAMJONG SINGS was required to race further back in the field than had been anticipated, but remained of the opinion that having the horse ridden more quietly tonight provided it with the best opportunity to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of LIKE THAT and JOLLY GOOD HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLYING SEASON, NICCONI COUNTY and YO BEAUTY were sent for sampling.