After being loaded into the barriers, SIR REDALOT became fractious and lunged, making heavy contact with the front gates and forcing them to open. Despite the efforts of the starting gate handler attending to SIR REDALOT and M L Yeung, SIR REDALOT then got its head down, resulting in Jockey Yeung being dislodged and the starting gate handler also being dragged out of the barrier stalls. In this incident, M L Yeung was stood on by SIR REDALOT. SIR REDALOT then broke free from the starting gate handler before galloping away from the Start. Acting on medical advice that Jockey Yeung was not fit to ride SIR REDALOT, that horse was withdrawn. Before being allowed to race again, SIR REDALOT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. As the start was effected, CHEERFUL BOY, which was fractious in the barriers, bounded in the air, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERFUL BOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. ISTANBUL BEY shifted out at the start and bumped GOLD LAND. DR WIN WIN shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in CHUNG WAH SPIRIT being taken out onto the hindquarters of HAPPY JOURNEY which became unbalanced. From the outside barrier, MAGNETISM was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1200 Metres, FLYING QUEST got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Over the final 100 Metres, MAGNETISM lay in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Throughout the race, HAPPY JOURNEY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton (CHUNG WAH SPIRIT) stated that he was asked to ride the horse in about 4th or 5th position behind the leaders if possible. He said after becoming unbalanced at the start when crowded for room, he immediately looked to obtain a trailing position behind DR WIN WIN, however, that horse was steadied by its rider and as CHUNG WAH SPIRIT was too far in advance of DR WIN WIN, he believed it would be unreasonable to restrain his mount in order to attempt to obtain a position behind that horse and therefore, in his opinion, he was obliged to continue forward into the lead when no other horse contested for the lead in the early stages. He said although CHUNG WAH SPIRIT was obliged to lead the race, the horse travelled comfortably when uncontested in the lead. He said CHUNG WAH SPIRIT continued to travel well in the middle stages until rounding the Home Turn at which time the horse came under pressure and then, despite being ridden out in the Straight, did not finish off the race. Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT may not have seen out the distance of tonight’s race at its first time of asking whilst also racing at Happy Valley for the first time in the unfamiliar role of leader. A veterinary inspection of CHUNG WAH SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon (FLYING QUEST) stated that at the entrance to the Straight he shifted FLYING QUEST out to improve into running which was available between ISTANBUL BEY and JADE FORTUNE in advance of FLYING QUEST. He said as he positioned FLYING QUEST to improve into that run, JADE FORTUNE shifted in, however, by this time he was already committed to improving between JADE FORTUNE and ISTANBUL BEY. He said this resulted in FLYING QUEST being checked when disappointed for running and obliging him to shift FLYING QUEST back to the inside of ISTANBUL BEY after the 250 Metres to obtain clear running. After viewing the videos, the Stewards accepted Apprentice Poon’s explanation. A veterinary inspection of FLYING QUEST immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING QUEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHUNG WAH SPIRIT, GOLD LAND and DR WIN WIN were sent for sampling.
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