12/04/2023  Happy Valley  Race 5

Whilst being transported to Happy Valley, SERGEANT PEPPER became fractious and sustained an injury to its head. Acting on veterinary advice that SERGEANT PEPPER was not suitable to race, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, SERGEANT PEPPER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Whilst in the saddling stalls, NICETOBEMET had its left hind plate re-adjusted. NICETOBEMET was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. LIFE IS GOOD jumped only fairly and then shortly afterwards was hampered when crowded between HEARTY WISH which shifted out and DIAMOND SOARS which, after being bumped by ATOMIC ENERGY and becoming unbalanced, then shifted in. Shortly after the start, NICETOBEMET shifted out and bumped FASTPASS, resulting in FASTPASS shifting out and away from NICETOBEMET and crowding G ONE EXCELLENT. In this incident, G ONE EXCELLENT shifted out and made contact with GOOD VIEW GLORY which was steadied away from the heels of ACE TALENT. GOOD VIEW GLORY was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. NICETOBEMET lost its right hind plate near the 900 Metres. Making the turn near the 600 Metres, NICETOBEMET ran out and made the turn wider. Before being allowed to race again, NICETOBEMET will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials around a bend in Hong Kong. Making the Home Turn, HEARTY WISH and DIAMOND SOARS bumped when DIAMOND SOARS was racing tight to the inside of ACE TALENT. In this incident, HEARTY WISH became unbalanced. ATOMIC ENERGY lay out making the Home Turn and in the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, LIFE IS GOOD was steadied when it shifted out towards ACE TALENT. When placed under pressure in the Straight, LIFE IS GOOD was inclined to lay in slightly and near the 150 Metres shifted in behind DIAMOND SOARS and then became held up on the heels of DIAMOND SOARS for a short distance thereafter. Approaching the 50 Metres, SAVVY DELIGHT shifted to the inside of SUPER COMMANDER to obtain clear running and in doing so bumped HEARTY WISH. When questioned, C Y Ho (G ONE EXCELLENT) stated that with the strong early pace of the event and carrying an additional 6 lbs tonight, his mount found it difficult to hold its position in the early stages despite him riding it along. He said from the 800 Metres he endeavoured to improve into the race and to make up ground, however, when the pace remained strong in the middle stages, G ONE EXCELLENT did not make any appreciable ground on the field. He added that making the Home Turn G ONE EXCELLENT became momentarily unbalanced and once into the Straight and fully balanced, G ONE EXCELLENT commenced to finish the race off strongly. When questioned regarding his riding of ACE TALENT, A Badel stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to attempt to obtain cover. He said ACE TALENT commenced well tonight and he initially endeavoured to comply with his instructions, however, when he soon realized that ACE TALENT would not be able to obtain cover, he elected to allow his mount to stride forward and race outside the leader SUPER COMMANDER. He added that making the turn after the 600 Metres ACE TALENT hung out which resulted in DIAMOND SOARS improving to his inside near the 500 Metres and ACE TALENT being obliged to race three wide thereafter. Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions issued. ATOMIC ENERGY and G ONE EXCELLENT were sent for sampling.