22/06/2016  Happy Valley  Race 3

BRIGHT STAR was withdrawn on 21.6.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind foot). Before being allowed to race again, BRIGHT STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VICTORY FOLLOW ME began only fairly. From the outside barriers, HROVAT and ROUNDABOUT were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Over the final 200 Metres, TRAVEL COMFORTS shifted out under pressure. When questioned, Z Purton stated that LAMAROSA began awkwardly, resulting in him becoming unbalanced. He said in the early stages he shifted LAMAROSA across in order to take a trailing position behind CALL ME ACHIEVER which was being hard ridden. He said after the 800 Metres he expected CALL ME ACHIEVER to shift in towards the rail as the rider of that horse was looking to his inside. He said however that CALL ME ACHIEVER remained racing in a position one horse off the rail which resulted in LAMAROSA being left in a three wide position without cover. He said as he did not believe LAMAROSA had sufficient speed to cross CALL ME ACHIEVER and obtain a position in front of that horse, he elected to steady LAMAROSA and obtain a trailing position behind CALL ME ACHIEVER to avoid covering unnecessary ground. He added rounding the Home Turn he rode LAMAROSA vigorously to make up ground and continued to ride the horse out hands and heels until after the 200 Metres at which time he commenced to use the whip on the horse and it finished off the race well. When questioned regarding his riding of HROVAT in the Straight, O Bosson stated that he placed the horse under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, HROVAT did not quicken in the early part of the Straight. He said approaching the 200 Metres HROVAT got its head on the side and lay out and then near the 100 Metres was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of CALL ME ACHIEVER. He said after shifting to the inside of that horse, he improved between OCEAN ROAR which was giving ground and CALL ME ACHIEVER. He said as HROVAT was only having its second race start in Hong Kong tonight and racing greenly and given that OCEAN ROAR and CALL ME ACHIEVER were not finishing off their races, he did not persist in testing his mount as the race was in its concluding stages and he felt that either horse may shift ground, resulting in HROVAT being crowded for room. O Bosson was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was told to ensure that he places his mounts under appropriate pressure to ensure that they finish off their races as best as they are able. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that despite riding OCEAN ROAR aggressively in the early stages, the horse did not show the same speed as TRAVEL COMFORTS which was able to cross OCEAN ROAR after the 800 Metres. He said after this OCEAN ROAR was always off the bridle when ridden along in order to maintain its position. He said OCEAN ROAR came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then in the Straight weakened out of the race. He added the fact that OCEAN ROAR was not able to lead was the principal reason for the horse's failure to finish off its race. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN ROAR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea. DIEGO KOSTA, TRAVEL COMFORTS and LAMAROSA were sent for sampling.