23/03/2025  Shatin  Race 2

HEALTHY HAPPY (D435): Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the event, Apprentice P N Wong stated that her instructions were to lead. She said after beginning only fairly and when the pace of the early stages was run inside of standard time HEALTHY HAPPY did not show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HEALTHY HAPPY was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY HAPPY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. YOUNG CHAMPION (J195): Jumped only fairly. From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For a short distance near the 1000 Metres raced keenly and got its head up when being steadied away from PACKING HERMOD. Near the 900 Metres raced tight to the inside of HEALTHY HAPPY. Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when being shifted to the outside of PACKING HERMOD. Sent for sampling post-race. PACKING HERMOD (J277): Sent for sampling post-race. CHIU CHOW SPIRIT (H175): Leaving the 1100 Metres was eased to avoid DANCING CODE (Apprentice E C W Wong) which shifted in when not clear. Apprentice Wong was reprimanded. DIVANO (J142): No report. DANCING CODE (G365): When questioned regarding his riding, Apprentice E C W Wong stated that the instructions were to hold a midfield position with cover. He said at the start DANCING CODE jumped well and when he observed the expected leader in the race HEALTHY HAPPY to not show early speed he elected to allow DANCING CODE to cross runners to his inside to avoid racing wide. He said after crossing CHIU CHOW SPIRIT near the 1100 Metres DANCING CODE raced keenly and despite his efforts ran inside of standard time between the 1200 Metres and the 400 Metres of the event. He added that although he was aware DANCING CODE was setting a fast pace he felt in the circumstances he had made sufficient effort to set a more sustainable pace but did not want to apply further pressure as DANCING CODE is light-mouthed and may have over-reacted to further pressure. Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with Apprentice Wong’s decision to go forward when caught wide in the early stages. He added whilst he recognized that DANCING CODE did have a light mouth, he agreed with the Stewards that he felt in the circumstances Apprentice Wong could have made a greater effort to reduce the pace in the middle stages to allow DANCING CODE the opportunity to finish the race off. SNOWFIELD (K251): Jumped only fairly, blundered shortly after the start and lost ground. OUTGATE (H113): No report.