11/01/2017  Happy Valley  Race 4

HAPPY AND HEALTHY was withdrawn on 10.1.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left front foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GO-GETTER (M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY AND HEALTHY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RAY OF GOLD began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, NEWSWIRE FREE and TRAVEL AMBASSADOR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. GREAT TOPLIGHT was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. A short distance after the start, EXCELLENCE was steadied away from the heels of SPARKLING SWORD (Apprentice K K Chiong) which shifted out when being ridden along. Apprentice Chiong was warned against the practice of allowing her mounts to shift ground in the early stages of the race. Near the 1500 Metres, RAY OF GOLD was bumped by EXCELLENCE which, after being directed in by WORKS OF ART, then shifted in away from that horse. WORKS OF ART was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to EXCELLENCE and RAY OF GOLD. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, RAY OF GOLD became unbalanced. When the tempo slowed approaching the 1100 Metres, EXCELLENCE proved very difficult to settle for some distance and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of LUCKY PROFIT which was awkwardly placed behind GRACEFUL KINGDOM. M Chadwick (GRAND HARBOUR) and Apprentice Chiong were both warned against the practice of steadying the tempo too abruptly when in the lead. Making the turn near the 950 Metres, WORKS OF ART was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXCELLENCE. Due to the tempo of the race, TRAVEL AMBASSADOR was shifted out at the 950 Metres and allowed to improve to race outside the lead near the 700 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, GRACEFUL KINGDOM was taken into a position three wide and without cover by GIANT TURTLE which shifted out. Passing the 200 Metres, NEWSWIRE FREE was directed out away from the heels of GRACEFUL KINGDOM which was giving ground. A veterinary inspection of EXCELLENCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RAY OF GOLD immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, RAY OF GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WORKS OF ART, GIANT TURTLE and SPARKLING SWORD were sent for sampling. <12/1/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>RAY OF GOLD, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. RAY OF GOLD was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Y S Tsui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg with a wound on the fetlock. As previously advised, RAY OF GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.