24/04/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

AMAZING GOLD began awkwardly. ROMANTIC JOURNEY began very awkwardly and shortly after the start became unbalanced after shifting in and bumping YOUNG GLORY. After this, despite being ridden along, ROMANTIC JOURNEY failed to muster speed and was shifted across behind runners. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, DRAGON WARRIOR, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COME ON WONGCHOY (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. Apprentice Wong was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 1200 Metres, WHAMPOA STAR was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 550 Metres, GOBI STORM got its head up when being checked away from the heels of COME ON WONGCHOY which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DRAGON WARRIOR after attempting to shift out and improve between that horse and MEGATRON where there was insufficient room. MI BLANCO, which was following GOBI STORM, was awkwardly placed behind that horse passing the 500 Metres. Passing the 500 Metres, WEALTHY FORTUNE raced tight outside ENJOYABLE SUCCESS which shifted to the outside of MI BLANCO. Passing the 300 Metres, YOUNG GLORY was directed to the inside of MI BLANCO. YOUNG GLORY was then held up for clear running behind COME ON WONGCHOY approaching the 200 Metres. YOUNG GLORY raced in restricted room inside MI BLANCO (N Callan) near the 150 Metres as that horse was shifted to the inside of the heels of DRAGON WARRIOR. YOUNG GLORY was then unable to obtain clear running for the remainder of the race and consequently was not tested. N Callan was advised to exercise more care in respect of his initial movement to the inside of DRAGON WARRIOR which resulted in YOUNG GLORY being crowded for room. Close to the finishing line, MI BLANCO was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DRAGON WARRIOR and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Also close to the finishing line, MEGATRON was awkwardly placed behind GOLDEN CANNON and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, C Schofield (DRAGON WARRIOR) stated that passing the winning post on the first occasion DRAGON WARRIOR commenced to prove very difficult to settle despite the fact that the race was being run at a good tempo. He said after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of COME ON WONGCHOY approaching the first turn, he steadied his mount so as to allow MEGATRON to cross DRAGON WARRIOR and provide his mount with cover. He said however DRAGON WARRIOR continued to prove very difficult to settle and for some distance after the 1200 Metres was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of MEGATRON. He said as DRAGON WARRIOR was not relaxing, he shifted his mount to the outside of MEGATRON making the turn near the 1050 Metres and allowed his mount to improve forward of that horse. He said he did not have to ride his mount along to do so as DRAGON WARRIOR improved its position easily around MEGATRON. He added after improving forward of MEGATRON, DRAGON WARRIOR relaxed a little better and he had intended to remain racing to the outside of COME ON WONGCHOY after that horse initially maintained its position in the lead. He said however that the rider of COME ON WONGCHOY did not persist in holding the lead and therefore he allowed DRAGON WARRIOR to improve its position of its own accord forward of COME ON WONGCHOY to obtain the outright lead approaching the 600 Metres. He added, in his opinion, DRAGON WARRIOR’s failure to finish off the race over the concluding stages could be attributed to the manner in which it over-raced in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of COME ON WONGCHOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of WEALTHY FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ENJOYABLE SUCCESS and GOLDEN CANNON were sent for sampling. <25/4/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>WEALTHY FORTUNE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. WEALTHY FORTUNE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K L Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front and right hind legs. Before being allowed to race again, WEALTHY FORTUNE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.