05/06/2024  Happy Valley  Race 2

INTREPID WINNER (G144): Bumped at the start. BILLIONAIRE SECRET (G303): Near the 2000 Metres was steadied to avoid SHARPEN BRIGHT (K Teetan) which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care. Near the 450 Metres was steadied when disappointed for clear running between INTREPID WINNER and SHARPEN BRIGHT which shifted out. Was then held up for a short distance thereafter behind SHARPEN BRIGHT. After the race, Z Purton could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ROMANTIC FANTASY (H168): Jumped awkwardly and made contact with the right side of its barrier. Near the 150 Metres raced tight to the inside of SERANGOON and after the 150 Metres was steadied when crowded between SERANGOON and INTREPID WINNER, both of which shifted ground. After this incident, ROMANTIC FANTASY lay in and proved difficult to ride out to the finish of the event. SERANGOON (H296): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Sent for sampling post-race. REACH GOAL (G067): Jumped only fairly. Near the 450 Metres was steadied when crowded to the inside of BILLIONAIRE SECRET which shifted in. After the race, L Hewitson stated that his mount was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHARPEN BRIGHT (H276): Sent for sampling post-race. PRECISE EXPRESS (D198): Making the Home Turn was held up for clear running and near the 350 Metres was steadied when disappointed between SUPER HONG KONG and REACH GOAL which shifted out. SUPER HONG KONG (D241): Jumped only fairly. LEGION OF MERIT (D419): Lost its left front, left hind and right hind plates whilst being transported to Happy Valley and was found to have sustained a minor abrasion to the right hock. LEGION OF MERIT was examined by the Veterinary Officer after being replated and passed suitable to race. After the race, B Thompson stated that his mount was able to obtain a position outside the lead in the early stages, but in the Home Straight failed to change its lead leg and gave ground. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHATEAU LE PECHE (H471): Bumped at the start. When questioned regarding his mount leading the event, A Badel stated that the intention was to hold a handy position preferably with cover. He said in the early stages when positioned to the outside of INTREPID WINNER, he was reluctant to obtain a trailing position behind that runner as this would have been contrary to his instructions. He said as a result he allowed CHATEAU LE PECHE to stride forward approaching the first turn near the 2000 Metres which resulted in his mount leading and racing in a more forward position than anticipated. Trainer K H Ting confirmed the instructions issued. ABSOLUTE SUNSHINE (H342): After the 150 Metres was directed to the inside of CHATEAU LE PECHE to continue into clear running. RUNNING BOY (J041): After the race, C Y Ho stated that although his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover throughout, it was under pressure from the 600 Metres and gave ground from that point before weakening badly in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RUNNING BOY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RUNNING BOY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.