15/04/2020  Happy Valley  Race 3

TRIUMPHANT HORSE began awkwardly. SPEED FORCE was slow to begin. COURAGEOUS DRAGON and METHANE bumped at the start. METHANE was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. PERFECT HARMONY began awkwardly and then was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being hard ridden for some distance in the early stages, FRESH POWER failed to muster speed and approaching the winning post on the first occasion was shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Near the 1350 Metres, SPEED FORCE raced in restricted room inside PERFECT HARMONY which was racing tight inside TUNG WAH GLORY. Approaching the 1300 Metres, BULB ELITE was momentarily crowded for room outside the heels of LASTING FRIENDSHIP and inside BREEDERS’ SKY which was racing tight inside ORIENTAL ELITE (K C Leung) and was then taken in marginally by that horse before ORIENTAL ELITE was directed out to relieve the tightening. K C Leung was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. ORIENTAL ELITE travelled wide and without cover until after the 1000 Metres at which stage BREEDERS’ SKY was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, PERFECT HARMONY raced tight between BREEDERS’ SKY and TRIUMPHANT HORSE which shifted out. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, TRIUMPHANT HORSE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LASTING FRIENDSHIP and shifted out, resulting in PERFECT HARMONY being tightened for room inside BREEDERS’ SKY. SPEED FORCE, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of TRIUMPHANT HORSE in consequence. At the entrance to the Straight, BREEDERS’ SKY, which was giving ground, was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between METHANE and LASTING FRIENDSHIP which, after shifting out of its own accord, was then taken out by TRIUMPHANT HORSE. A Hamelin (LASTING FRIENDSHIP) was warned against the practice of raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder. After the race, K Teetan (COURAGEOUS DRAGON) stated that after being ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, his mount travelled too keenly in the early and middle stages and consequently was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of BULB ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRIUMPHANT HORSE, LASTING FRIENDSHIP and TUNG WAH GLORY were sent for sampling.