14/06/2023  Happy Valley  Race 1

SMILING FACE jumped only fairly. JOLLY HONOUR was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. GLORIOUS LOVER jumped only fairly and then from a wide barrier was also shifted across runners in the early stages. Near the 1400 Metres, SMILING FACE was steadied when momentarily crowded to the inside of LIFELINE VISION which shifted in. M L Yeung (JOLLY HONOUR) dropped his whip near the 400 Metres. MEDIC ELITE had difficulty obtaining clear running making the Home Turn and near the 250 Metres was held up for clear running between SPEED FORCE and SMILING FACE. When questioned regarding his riding making the Home Turn, K Teetan (LIFELINE VISION) stated that he was instructed to obtain a position where his mount was comfortable but in the Straight endeavour to shift to the outside. He said after obtaining a midfield position throughout the early and middle stages of the event, he commenced to follow VALHALLA making the Home Turn with a view to shifting to that runner’s outside on straightening. He added that when VALHALLA shifted out and SMILING FACE held a tight line to his outside, LIFELINE VISION became held up for a short distance near the 200 Metres and once obtaining clear running near the 150 Metres found the line only fairly. When questioned if there was an opportunity to improve to the inside of VALHALLA, K Teetan stated that having regard to his instructions to endeavour to find clear running to the outside, he felt this was the best option in the circumstances. The Stewards confirmed the instructions issued by Trainer D A Hayes were to specifically come to the outside. After considering his explanation, the Stewards advised K Teetan that, in their opinion, notwithstanding his instructions, he had made an error of judgement in shifting to the outside when the run behind HAPPY JAI JAI which would have provided him with clear running was open and available to him. A veterinary inspection of LIFELINE VISION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, A Badel (VIVA A LA) reported that from the outside barrier he was instructed to ride his mount in the lead. He added that with the hood removed from VIVA A LA tonight, it raced keenly in the lead and established a greater lead than what he had expected. Trainer L Ho confirmed the instructions issued. Also after the race, K C Leung (HAPPY JAI JAI) reported that with the fast early pace of the event, HAPPY JAI JAI travelled only fairly throughout the early and middle stages of the race and was unable to finish the race off strongly as a result. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY JAI JAI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MEDIC ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LIFELINE VISION, CONCERTO and BEAUTY NOVA were sent for sampling.