06/05/2015  Happy Valley  Race 7

MELLIFLUENT began only fairly. PEACE N PROSPERITY was crowded for room on jumping between SHINING CHAMPION and FLYING TOURBILLON which shifted out. From the outside barrier, ALWAYS WIN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, JOY LUCK WIN (M L Yeung), when being shifted across behind PEARL WIN, was severely checked after striking the heels of PEARL WIN which was being steadied in order to obtain a trailing position behind DA VINCI which was also being steadied to obtain cover behind WAH MAY BABY. When JOY LUCK WIN was severely checked, that horse shifted in abruptly, causing MELLIFLUENT to strike the heels of that horse, to blunder and be severely checked. MELLIFLUENT then shifted out abruptly, causing FLYING TOURBILLON to be severely checked when crowded for room inside BRILLIANT DREAM which became unbalanced. ALWAYS WIN, which was following FLYING TOURBILLON, was also severely checked and PEACE N PROSPERITY was badly hampered. The Stewards, in assessing this incident, acknowledged that PEARL WIN and DA VINCI steadying at this time of the race had contributed to the incident although their respective riders had not restrained their mounts unduly. It was also established that M L Yeung’s focus at that time was towards MELLIFLUENT to his inside rather than runners in advance of JOY LUCK WIN, principally PEARL WIN. M L Yeung was advised to remain alert to the changing circumstances of a race so as to ensure that horses are not placed in precarious positions close to the heels of other runners. For some distance approaching and passing the 800 Metres, FLYING TOURBILLON, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JOY LUCK WIN. JOY LUCK WIN had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. DA VINCI was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 150 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, PEACE N PROSPERITY got its head on the side, shifted in and raced tight outside BRILLIANT DREAM. Throughout the race, ELITE SPIRIT travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of PEACE N PROSPERITY and MELLIFLUENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, MELLIFLUENT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PEACE N PROSPERITY, WAH MAY BABY and DA VINCI were sent for sampling.