17/05/2017  Happy Valley  Race 2

MEDIC SWORDSMAN and LOYAL CRAFTSMAN were slow to begin. STORM KID lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and was slow to begin. On the first turn near the 2000 Metres, LUCKY SEBRING shifted out and made contact with WEALTHY FORTUNE. After leaving the 2000 Metres, STORM KID commenced to prove very difficult to settle, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of SWEET BEAN. STORM KID continued to over-race badly and approaching the 1800 Metres was shifted out from behind SWEET BEAN and in so doing clipped the heels of that horse and blundered. STORM KID was then allowed to stride forward to assume the lead at the winning post on the first occasion. When the pace slackened near the 1300 Metres, TELEPHATIA commenced to over-race and was checked away from the heels of SWEET BEAN. In this incident, TELEPHATIA shifted out, resulting in ALWAYS WONGCHOY being taken out and becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of PRECISIONCRAFTSMAN. TELEPHATIA, which was proving difficult to manage, then shifted back in, resulting in LOYAL CRAFTSMAN, which had improved to its inside, being checked. As the Stewards were satisfied that the slowing of the pace and the racing manners of TELEPHATIA had been the primary cause of the incident, no further action was taken. Also near the 1300 Metres, WEALTHY FORTUNE was shifted out from behind AUDACITY and allowed to improve its position around that horse. When WEALTHY FORTUNE shifted out, PRECISIONCRAFTSMAN was taken wider and consequently obliged to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the event. PRECISIONCRAFTSMAN lost its left front plate after the race. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that the circumstances of the race did not suit TELEPHATIA. He said due to the slow tempo on the turn out of the Straight on the first occasion TELEPHATIA had to be checked away from the heels of runners in front. He said for some distance approaching and making the Home Turn TELEPHATIA again had to be checked away from the heels of LUCKY SEBRING which was under pressure to maintain its position. He said as a consequence TELEPHATIA failed to close off as expected and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of TELEPHATIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, J Moreira stated that although the performance of ALWAYS WONGCHOY was disappointing on face value, the horse was not suited by the tempo of the race. A veterinary inspection of ALWAYS WONGCHOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WEALTHY FORTUNE and AUDACITY were sent for sampling. <18/5/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that PRECISIONCRAFTSMAN was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, PRECISIONCRAFTSMAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.