15/02/2017  Happy Valley  Race 4

MASTER VIKING began only fairly and then, despite being ridden along, failed to muster speed. UNITY and THE FULL BLOOM bumped at the start. THE FULL BLOOM then shifted out and bumped SMART DELIGHT which became unbalanced. Shortly after the start, SALSA BROTHERS shifted in and bumped GREAT SKY which, from a wide barrier, was being steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. AMAZING FEELING was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, MASTER VIKING shifted out and bumped UNITY. UNITY then commenced to travel keenly and for some distance after the 900 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of THE FULL BLOOM. Passing the 800 Metres, CONFUCIUS SPIRIT commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of UNITY. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, WILD BOY was steadied when awkwardly placed behind GOOD COMPANION. Approaching the 500 Metres, UNITY, which was inclined to lay out, raced tight inside the hindquarters of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT. Over the concluding stages, CONFUCIUS SPIRIT lay in and raced tight outside SALSA BROTHERS. Throughout the race, SMART DELIGHT travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performances of SMART DELIGHT and UNITY, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMART DELIGHT and UNITY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SMART DELIGHT and THE FULL BLOOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GRACYDAD and HEALTHY LUCK were sent for sampling. <19/2/2017 15 February 2017 Happy Valley Racemeeting – Race 4 (421)>After reviewing the video footage for the Happy Valley racemeeting conducted on Wednesday, 15 February 2017 as is usual, the Stewards today questioned K C Leung regarding his riding of WILD BOY in the early stages of the race. K C Leung stated that it had been anticipated that GRACYDAD and MASTER VIKING, which had drawn immediately to the inside of WILD BOY in gates 1 and 2 respectively, would be ridden to go forward. He said he was aware that GRACYDAD had previously led in some of its races over the course and distance so he was aware that that horse possesses good early speed. He said he was therefore asked to ride WILD BOY in about 3rd or 4th position behind either MASTER VIKING or GRACYDAD. He said WILD BOY began well and was able to take up a forward position and he was aware that GRACYDAD was being ridden along to maintain its position to its inside. He said although the tempo of the race was not overly strong in the early stages, he believed that he would have had to ride WILD BOY along to cross GRACYDAD as he anticipated that that rider would not allow WILD BOY to cross, particularly given that there were horses from wider barriers also being ridden forward. He added making the first turn after the 1100 Metres he received a call from the rider of GRACYDAD to alert him that he was not clear of that horse and for this reason he remained racing in the one-off position. He said in doing this he did not have to make too much use of the horse and he believed that this would provide WILD BOY with the best opportunity to close off strongly. K C Leung was advised that his explanation would be reported.