14/06/2023  Happy Valley  Race 7

A AMERIC TE SPECSO jumped only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, SMOKEY BEAR shifted out and brushed DANCING CODE. From the outside barrier, COPARTNER AMBITION was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. NINJA DERBY raced keenly in the early stages. After the 800 Metres, ARMOUR EAGLE raced keenly and shifted out when being steadied away from PARTERRE. After the 200 Metres, CLASSIC UNICORN lay in and away from SHOW RESPECT when giving ground. After the 100 Metres, SON PAK FU was shifted to the inside of SMOKEY BEAR to obtain clear running and then raced tight to the inside of SMOKEY BEAR when that runner lay in and away from DANCING CODE. As a result, SMOKEY BEAR could not be fully tested to the finish of the event. DANCING CODE lay in under pressure in the Straight. When questioned, C L Chau (SON PAK FU) stated that with a number of runners drawn to his inside expected to show pace, he was instructed to take up a trailing position behind the favourite, DANCING CODE. He said in the early stages after settling behind DANCING CODE, SON PAK FU was unable to maintain a position directly behind that runner despite his efforts throughout the early and middle stages to hold a more forward position. He added that from the 500 Metres when he was able to place his mount under full pressure, SON PAK FU finished the race off well. Trainer T P Yung confirmed the instructions issued and the reasons as to why such instructions were issued. A veterinary inspection of NINJA DERBY and TELECOM SPEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DANCING CODE and SON PAK FU were sent for sampling.