30/04/2014  Happy Valley  Race 8

RAINBOW FIGHTER and HAPPY YEAH YEAH bumped at the start. PERFECT CHEERS began only fairly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of CALIFORNIA BOUNTY which shifted in. WINDICATOR STAR began very awkwardly and shortly after the start was taken across behind runners. After the 800 Metres, BUNDLE OF LOVE commenced to prove very difficult to settle and blundered near the 750 Metres when being checked away from the heels of CALIFORNIA BOUNTY. Near the 700 Metres, RAINBOW FIGHTER and BRAVENESS momentarily raced tight inside CALIFORNIA BOUNTY. Approaching the 700 Metres, MY NAME IS BOND shifted out into a position without cover when racing keenly. After the 700 Metres, EXCITING DREAM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BOBO DRAGON. Passing the 500 Metres, BOBO DRAGON and HAPPY YEAH YEAH raced tight as HAPPY YEAH YEAH shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BRAVENESS. Passing the 450 Metres, EXCITING DREAM and MY NAME IS BOND raced tight. Passing the 200 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS was bumped by BUNDLE OF JOY which was taken in by the tiring CALIFORNIA BOUNTY when improving inside that horse. Close to the finishing line, BUNDLE OF JOY, which was closing off the race well, was shifted in away from the heels of RAINBOW FIGHTER. Approaching the finishing line, BEAUTY SPARKLE shifted out abruptly, resulting in RAINBOW FIGHTER being checked away from the heels of that horse, shifting out and causing BRAVENESS to be checked when crowded for room inside EXCITING DREAM. When questioned, J Moreira (BUNDLE OF JOY) stated that in pre-race discussions with Trainer D J Hall, it was felt that tonight’s race would be run at a fast tempo as there were a number of horses engaged in the race which had previously been ridden in prominent positions. He said from barrier 10, it was felt that were BUNDLE OF JOY to be ridden forward from the 1200 Metre start at Happy Valley, there was a strong likelihood that the horse would be left racing wide which would compromise the horse’s ability to finish off the race. He said it was therefore agreed that the best option was to shift BUNDLE OF JOY across in the early stages to allow it the opportunity to close off the race strongly. He added when ridden in this manner, BUNDLE OF JOY impressed him in the manner in which it finished off the race and he was of the view that this was the appropriate way to ride the horse given the make-up of tonight’s field. The Stewards will afford Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of BEAUTY SPARKLE, the opportunity to explain the horse’s improved performance prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 4 May 2014. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EXCITING DREAM was found to have a wound on the upper left eyelid. A veterinary inspection of BOBO DRAGON and MY NAME IS BOND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EXCITING DREAM, BEAUTY SPARKLE and HAPPY YEAH YEAH were sent for sampling.