11/11/2015  Happy Valley  Race 2

ELITE PRIDE was withdrawn on 10.11.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter VICTORY BOYS (T H So). Before being allowed to race again, ELITE PRIDE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SHARP HUNTER lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which shifted in marginally and KING'S STEED which got its head on the side and shifted out. KING'S STEED lost its left hind plate in the early stages. SUPREME FLIGHT took some time in the early stages to muster speed. Passing the 1100 Metres, SHARP HUNTER got its head up when being steadied to avoid the heels of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY which was shifting in. Making the first turn after the 1000 Metres, TIMELY ARRIVED got its head on the side and lay out. Also making the turn after the 1000 Metres, MASTER STEED was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHIN CHUN. Passing the 900 Metres, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY (H W Lai) got its head on the side and shifted in away from SEA WARRIOR, resulting in AMBITIOUS SPEEDY clipping the heels of KING'S STEED, blundering and shifting in abruptly, causing VICTORY BOYS to be checked and to lose ground when taken in across the heels of DUTCH WINDMILL. SHARP HUNTER and LAUGHING LORD, both of which were following, were hampered in consequence. After the race, H W Lai reported that after this incident AMBITIOUS SPEEDY did not appear comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KING'S STEED immediately following the race revealed the horse to have sustained minor cuts to the inside of the right hind leg above the hock and to the outside of the left hind cannon. After the 700 Metres, SEA WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, MASTER STEED was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHIN CHUN. Passing the 200 Metres, SUPREME FLIGHT was hampered when obliged to shift in away from the heels of TIMELY ARRIVED (M L Yeung) which shifted in under pressure. M L Yeung was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he has an obligation to promptly stop riding and straighten his mounts. Throughout the race, SMART GAIN travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight tailed out. The performance of SMART GAIN was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMART GAIN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SHARP HUNTER, TIMELY ARRIVED and CHIN CHUN were sent for sampling. <12/11/2015 Additional Veterinary Report> The Veterinary Officer reported that VICTORY BOYS had a cut and swollen right front cannon on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY BOYS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.