07/12/2022  Happy Valley  Race 7

Just prior to the start being effected, CAPTAIN WIN became very fractious and made heavy contact with the inside of its gate, resulting in the horse losing a significant amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, CAPTAIN WIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. PACKING FAMOUS was steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. Also from wide barriers, SETANTA and STORM LEGEND were steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1550 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS and ALL BEAUTY raced very tight as AMAZING ONE PLUS shifted in. ALL BEAUTY was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of RISING FROM ASHES approaching the winning post on the first occasion. PACKING FAMOUS, which was following ALL BEAUTY, got its head up in consequence. Also approaching the winning post on the first occasion, NIMBLE NIMBUS got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover. AMAZING ONE PLUS, which was following NIMBLE NIMBUS, raced close to the heels of that horse in consequence. Approaching the 1200 Metres, NIMBLE NIMBUS again got its head up when racing close to the heels of VIVA HUNTER. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, ALL BEAUTY shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RISING FROM ASHES. Then near the 1300 Metres, PACKING FAMOUS was steadied away from the heels of ALL BEAUTY which shifted in to resume its position behind RISING FROM ASHES. CAPTAIN WIN, which was following PACKING FAMOUS, commenced to race keenly and shifted out away from the heels of that horse and in doing so bumped STORM LEGEND, causing both horses to become unbalanced. When CAPTAIN WIN shifted out away from the heels of PACKING FAMOUS, this resulted in STORM LEGEND being taken wider. Passing the 1200 Metres, PACKING FAMOUS again got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ALL BEAUTY. Passing the 850 Metres, STORM LEGEND was taken very wide and without cover by CAPTAIN WIN which shifted out. Passing the 700 Metres, PACKING FAMOUS raced close to the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS and approaching the 500 Metres got its head up when being checked away from the heels of that horse. Near the 450 Metres, CAPTAIN WIN shifted out away from the heels of SETANTA and bumped the hindquarters of STORM LEGEND, resulting in both STORM LEGEND and CAPTAIN WIN becoming unbalanced. Passing the 300 Metres, NIMBLE NIMBUS was directed to the inside of VIVA HUNTER when disappointed for running outside that horse and inside THE ANOMALY. ALL BEAUTY was held up for clear running from passing the 300 Metres until near the 150 Metres. After the 300 Metres, RISING FROM ASHES got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. Near the 250 Metres, PACKING FAMOUS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NIMBLE NIMBUS when held up for clear running behind that horse. After the 250 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS was shifted to the inside of THE ANOMALY after being disappointed for running between that horse which was giving ground and SETANTA. AMAZING ONE PLUS then shifted to the inside of VIVA HUNTER after the 200 Metres and raced tight outside PACKING FAMOUS. AMAZING ONE PLUS was then directed to the outside of VIVA HUNTER near the 100 Metres. Close to the finishing line, AMAZING ONE PLUS was shifted out away from the heels of VIVA HUNTER, resulting in THE ANOMALY racing tight inside SETANTA. When questioned, K C Leung stated that he was instructed to position THE ANOMALY in about midfield or behind midfield from barrier 11 as it was felt that horses which had been ridden on the speed in earlier races had not been able to finish their races off. He said THE ANOMALY began very well and he was not able to steady the horse sufficiently to obtain a midfield position and therefore he had no option other than to allow his mount to race closer to the speed than had been intended. He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion THE ANOMALY was left racing wide and without cover in a more forward position than had been anticipated. He added that although the tempo of the race after the 1200 Metres was quite slow, he was reluctant to allow THE ANOMALY to improve forward of VIVA HUNTER and race outside the lead as he believed that he was already racing further forward than the connections of the horse had wished and therefore allowing THE ANOMALY to race outside the lead would have been even more contrary to his instructions. PACKING FAMOUS, WINNING DRAGON and RED MAJESTY were sent for sampling.