19/04/2023  Happy Valley  Race 5

SIGHT HERO and VICTORY SCHOLARS bumped at the start. CIRCUIT TEN jumped awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with HAPPY GATHERING. A short distance later, CIRCUIT TEN and HAPPY GATHERING again made contact when HAPPY GATHERING was taken out by SMOKEY BEAR. RACING FIGHTER jumped awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, SPEEDY CHARIOT was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 700 Metres, TRIUMPHANT RETURN commenced to race keenly and was steadied to avoid the heels of SMOKEY BEAR. Again near the 500 Metres, TRIUMPHANT RETURN was steadied away from SMOKEY BEAR. Also near the 700 Metres, CIRCUIT TEN, which was inclined to race keenly, got its head up when being momentarily crowded by HAPPY GATHERING which shifted in slightly. Passing the 400 Metres, TRIUMPHANT RETURN raced tight between SMOKEY BEAR and VICTORY SCHOLARS when that runner shifted out slightly, resulting in TRIUMPHANT RETURN then being steadied to avoid SMOKEY BEAR. After laying out making the Home Turn, SMOKEY BEAR then shifted back in and near the 250 Metres became awkwardly placed close to MY INTELLIGENT, resulting in SMOKEY BEAR having to be steadied. When being corrected by its rider, SMOKEY BEAR then shifted out and made contact with SIGHT HERO, resulting in SIGHT HERO, which also shifted in at this stage, having to be steadied. SMOKEY BEAR continued to lay in in the Straight and near the 100 Metres was eased when positioned tight to the inside of SIGHT HERO which shifted in slightly. Passing the 300 Metres, VICTORY SCHOLARS was shifted to the inside of MY INTELLIGENT to secure clear running. SMOKEY BEAR raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, K Teetan (SMART LEADER) stated that, in his opinion, his mount did not appreciate racing around the Happy Valley circuit and was better suited to Sha Tin. A veterinary inspection of SMART LEADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, H T Mo (MY INTELLIGENT) reported that his mount raced too keenly in the lead and as a result was not able to finish the race off as expected. A veterinary inspection of SMOKEY BEAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORY SCHOLARS and EXUBERANT were sent for sampling.