06/07/2022  Happy Valley  Race 2

On arrival at the track, YEE CHEONG BRAVE, which sustained a minor abrasion to the left hock whilst being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. LEGION OF MERIT began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of HYPERION TREE which became unbalanced. LEGION OF MERIT then became unbalanced a short distance after the start when crowded for room between HYPERION TREE and GO BALLISTIC which shifted out. YEE CHEONG BRAVE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected, shifted in and in doing so bumped WONDER YEARS which became unbalanced and lost ground. From wide barriers, VINCY and KOWLOON GREAT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 2100 Metres, YEE CHEONG BRAVE momentarily raced tight inside PASSING FASHION which shifted in. After this, YEE CHEONG BRAVE proved difficult to settle and raced close to the heels of PASSING FASHION and near the 1700 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of PASSING FASHION to improve its position and race outside the lead. Approaching the 700 Metres, PAKISTAN FRIEND was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SUN OF MAKFI which improved to the outside of PASSING FASHION. Rounding the Home Turn, KOWLOON GREAT attempted to improve into running which was available between WONDER YEARS and YEE CHEONG BRAVE. When attempting to improve into that run, YEE CHEONG BRAVE (A Hamelin) shifted in, resulting in KOWLOON GREAT being steadied when disappointed for running. Whilst the Stewards were of the opinion that KOWLOON GREAT had not established its position to the inside of YEE CHEONG BRAVE prior to that horse shifting in, nonetheless A Hamelin was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. KOWLOON GREAT was then directed to the outside of YEE CHEONG BRAVE passing the 250 Metres and near the 150 Metres momentarily raced tight between YEE CHEONG BRAVE and PASSING FASHION. After the 200 Metres, SUN OF MAKFI (L Currie) raced tight inside VINCY. After the race, L Currie reported that, in his opinion, SUN OF MAKFI did not see out the distance of tonight’s race at its first time of asking. A veterinary inspection of SUN OF MAKFI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PAKISTAN FRIEND travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN FRIEND immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. The performance of PAKISTAN FRIEND, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PAKISTAN FRIEND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN SPECTRUM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HYPERION TREE and WONDER YEARS were sent for sampling.