27/04/2016  Happy Valley  Race 4

Shortly after the start, MASTER PINNACLE shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of MR KOOL. SHARP HUNTER got its head up on a number of occasions soon after the start when being steadied to obtain a position with cover from a wide barrier. From the outside barrier, KIROV was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 900 Metres, LUCKY PROFIT shifted out marginally and bumped MR KOOL. LUCKY PROFIT then became unbalanced and shifted out further, resulting in MR KOOL being checked when crowded for room inside MIGHTY EQUUS which was shifting in. As there was no carelessness attributable to this incident, no further action was taken. Passing the 400 Metres, SEA WARRIOR was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HASTA LA VISTA. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been instructed to ride DRAGON HARMONY in a forward position and it was hoped that it would take a trailing position behind the leaders from the inside barrier. He said on jumping DRAGON HARMONY was checked when crowded for room between EXCELLENT FORTUNE and LUCKY PROFIT which shifted out. He said this resulted in DRAGON HARMONY racing further back in the field than had been hoped. He said along the Back Straight whilst there was room ahead of DRAGON HARMONY to improve to be racing closer to SEA WARRIOR, the pace of the race, particularly after the 800 Metres, was quite strong and he believed he would have had to ride DRAGON HARMONY along at this time to make up this ground. He said approaching the 700 Metres DRAGON HARMONY was racing tight inside MR KOOL which was racing tight inside MIGHTY EQUUS and because of this he was not immediately able to commence to improve his position. He added after making the turn at the 600 Metres he commenced to ride his mount along to be closer to SEA WARRIOR, however, after the 400 Metres raced in restricted room inside MIGHTY EQUUS. He said he balanced up DRAGON HARMONY shortly after entering the Straight and commenced to ride the horse along after the 300 Metres before riding it more vigorously approaching the 200 Metres. Y T Cheng was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made a greater effort to be closer to SEA WARRIOR in the middle stages and that there was an opportunity to place DRAGON HARMONY under greater pressure earlier than he did in the Straight. He was further advised that this matter would be added to his disciplinary record. A veterinary inspection of MR KOOL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY PROFIT and GENTILIS were sent for sampling. <28/4/2016 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that MIGHTY EQUUS was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, MIGHTY EQUUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.