11/04/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

SHARPMIND was withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter APPLAUSE (Apprentice M F Poon). Before being allowed to race again, SHARPMIND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, ROMANTIC JOURNEY, which had kicked a rail in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. Shortly after the start, HIDDEN SPIRIT, which was being steadied to obtain cover, shifted out and bumped NOBLE DE BOY, causing both horses to become unbalanced. From a wide barrier, GOUTEN OF GARO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. SHOWING CHARACTER lost its right hind plate near the 850 Metres. At the 300 Metres, GOUTEN OF GARO was bumped by ROMANTIC JOURNEY which shifted out. NOBLE DE BOY was shifted out away from the heels of GOUTEN OF GARO in consequence. Approaching the 200 Metres, HIDDEN SPIRIT was checked away from the heels of LUCKY KINGDOM which was giving ground abruptly. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on LUCKY KINGDOM from the outside barrier. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages and making the turn after the 1000 Metres was racing in a three wide position. He said he had intended to improve forward of BOND ELEGANCE on entering the Back Straight, however, that horse was travelling strongly and he felt that to improve sufficiently to clear BOND ELEGANCE and race outside the eventual winner BINGO, he would have had to make too much use of LUCKY KINGDOM which was having its first start since October last year. He said this resulted in LUCKY KINGDOM racing in a three wide position without cover in the early and middle stages. He added LUCKY KINGDOM came under heavy pressure after the 600 Metres and then gave ground in the Straight. BINGO and BEAUT BEAUT were sent for sampling.