08/07/2015  Happy Valley  Race 5

JOYEUX was withdrawn on 7.7.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore right fore foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FAST MARVEL (C Y Ho). Before being allowed to race again, JOYEUX will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOOD LUCK MAN began only fairly. MAGIC STAR was crowded for room on jumping between TEN FLAMES and STAR OF WAI BO, both of which shifted ground marginally. In this incident, MAGIC STAR bumped the hindquarters of TEN FLAMES which became unbalanced and shifted in further, resulting in MAGIC STAR having to be steadied away from the heels of that horse. PROMPT EXPRESS and TRENDIFUL bumped on jumping. From a wide barrier, FAST MARVEL was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being ridden along in the early stages, CHIN CHUN, when left racing wide, was steadied passing the 900 Metres in an attempt to obtain cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, MAGIC STAR and TEN FLAMES raced tight due to TEN FLAMES being awkwardly placed behind GLORY HORSIE which lay in. GOOD LUCK MAN raced greenly in the early stages. After the 700 Metres, GLORY HORSIE raced tight inside PROMPT EXPRESS which, after initially racing tight inside TRENDIFUL, then got its head on the side and lay in away from that horse. GOOD LUCK MAN, which was following and continuing to race greenly, was hampered in consequence. After this, GOOD LUCK MAN continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLORY HORSIE and raced tight outside MAGIC STAR. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, TEN FLAMES got its head on the side and shifted out. ST YAZIN, which was following, was taken wider as a consequence. At the same point, MAGIC STAR got its head on the side, lay out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels OF STAR OF WAI BO. Passing the 250 Metres, FAST MARVEL was shifted to the inside of MAGIC STAR to obtain clear running. After the 250 Metres, TEN FLAMES was shifted in to obtain clear running. At the 200 Metres, GOOD LUCK MAN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAGIC STAR which shifted out. Approaching the 100 Metres, TEN FLAMES was steadied and shifted to the inside of MAGIC STAR after being disappointed for running between that horse which shifted out and TRENDIFUL. In the Straight, GOOD LUCK MAN hung in under pressure. Throughout the race, TRENDIFUL travelled wide and without cover. After the race, W M Lai (ST YAZIN) reported that the horse did not feel comfortable in its action in the early part of the race, however, improved as it continued. A veterinary inspection of ST YAZIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of TRENDIFUL and PROMPT EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAGIC STAR, OCEAN ROAR and HIGHLAND DRAGON were sent for sampling.