13/09/2017  Happy Valley  Race 7

On arrival at the Start, N Callan expressed concern regarding the action of BREEDERS’ STAR. BREEDERS’ STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said, after the necessary consultations, that the horse was suitable to race. YOUNG EMPIRE shifted out at the start and bumped BREEDERS’ STAR. DOLLAR REWARD and GLORIOUS PARTNERS bumped at the start. GLORIOUS PARTNERS then shifted out and made contact with JUMBO HAPPINESS which shifted in. From the outside barrier, BACK IN BLACK was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After initially being steadied in the early stages from a wide barrier to obtain cover, SUNNY DRAGON proved difficult to settle after the 1100 Metres and got its head up near the 1000 Metres when being checked away from the heels of BOND ELEGANCE which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXTREMELY FUN. EXTREMELY FUN travelled wide and without cover until after the 600 Metres at which time BOND ELEGANCE was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, DIAMOND MASTER lay in, brushed the running rail of its own accord and became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOUNG EMPIRE. Passing the 250 Metres, JADE THEATRE shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUNNY DRAGON. For some distance passing the 250 Metres, BREEDERS’ STAR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY BAO BEI. Passing the 200 Metres, BREEDERS’ STAR and BOND ELEGANCE bumped and became unbalanced due to both horses shifting ground. BOND ELEGANCE then shifted out and brushed JADE THEATRE (U Rispoli). U Rispoli will be warned against the practice of raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder. After the 100 Metres, GLORIOUS PARTNERS was shifted out away from the heels of DIAMOND MASTER and then was not able to be tested over the concluding stages. Over the concluding stages, JUMBO HAPPINESS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BREEDERS’ STAR and as a consequence was not able to be fully tested. Close to the finishing line, DOLLAR REWARD was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HAPPY BAO BEI and as a consequence was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding his riding of JUMBO HAPPINESS particularly after the 500 Metres, C Y Ho stated that his mount came under heavy pressure prior to the 500 Metres and he had to ride it hard in an endeavour to improve his position. He said passing the 500 Metres he was racing behind JADE THEATRE and he had initially intended to shift to that horse’s outside, however, it appeared to him that the rider of JADE THEATRE was going to shift out on that horse and therefore he elected to position JUMBO HAPPINESS to improve to that horse’s inside as he anticipated that the horse would shift out rounding the Home Turn. He said as JADE THEATRE was unable to shift out after the 400 Metres due to racing inside the heels of SUNNY DRAGON, he was then not able to shift to that horse’s inside as GLORIOUS PARTNERS was improving to his inside. He said this resulted in JUMBO HAPPINESS being awkwardly placed close to the heels of JADE THEATRE approaching and rounding the Home Turn. C Y Ho was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in not having shifted immediately to the outside of JADE THEATRE passing the 500 Metres, however, this error did not constitute a breach of the Rules. He was advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner to ensure that they are able to improve their position wherever possible and also that his riding does not come under notice. A veterinary inspection of BOND ELEGANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DOLLAR REWARD, YOUNG EMPIRE and HAPPY BAO BEI were sent for sampling.