15/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 6

On arrival at Happy Valley, RIVER VIEWS was noted to have sustained a small abrasion to the left hock. RIVER VIEWS was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. HAPPY WON jumped only fairly. LUCKY BANNER jumped awkwardly and lost ground. VILLA FIONN and YEE CHEONG WARRIOR, which were slow to begin, bumped at the start. LUCKY BANNER raced keenly in the early stages and near the 1500 Metres shifted out when being steadied from behind RIGHT HONOURABLE. LUCKY BANNER continued to race keenly thereafter and passing the 1400 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from HAPPY WON, resulting in IRON WILL being taken wider for a short distance and LUCKY BANNER and IRON WILL making contact. LUCKY BANNER was then left racing wide and without cover after the 700 Metres. SUPER BUDDY was caught wide in the early stages before being ridden forward to obtain a position outside the lead near the 700 Metres. Approaching the 500 Metres, IRON WILL shifted out away from ONE HEART ONE and as a result bumped LEGION OF MERIT. Near the 300 Metres, RIGHT HONOURABLE was awkwardly placed close to HOLY POWER before shifting to that runner’s outside to secure clear running. Then approaching the 200 Metres, RIGHT HONOURABLE was awkwardly placed close to SUPER BUDDY before shifting to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running. After the race, L Ferraris (MISSION BRAVO) expressed some concern with his mount’s action. A veterinary inspection of MISSION BRAVO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, MISSION BRAVO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, C L Chau reported that RIVER VIEWS travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages, however, when challenged by SUPER BUDDY along the Back Straight did not travel well from that point and finished the race off only fairly. A veterinary inspection of RIVER VIEWS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, M F Poon (IRON WILL) reported that after being taken wider by LUCKY BANNER making the first turn, IRON WILL did not travel comfortably thereafter and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of IRON WILL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of IRON WILL was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, IRON WILL 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 regarding ONE HEART ONE being ridden back in the field, C Y Ho confirmed that he was instructed to ride ONE HEART ONE conservatively from its wide barrier due to the anticipated good early pace of tonight’s event. A veterinary inspection of LEGION OF MERIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VILLA FIONN and HOLY POWER were sent for sampling.