30/10/2019  Happy Valley  Race 5

DR RESPECT began awkwardly. KING’S TROOPER shifted in at the start and bumped THE ABRAXAS. HAPPY WIN WIN and TOP SCORE bumped at the start. From the outside barriers, GALAXY RACER and WINNING TOGETHER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from a wide barrier, PRECIOUS SWEETIE was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1150 Metres, BRIGHT KID was crowded for room between JOLLY CONVERGENCE which shifted in and TOP SCORE which shifted out after being bumped on the hindquarters by HAPPY WIN WIN. Passing the 1000 Metres, HAPPY WIN WIN was steadied away from the heels of TOP SCORE which got its head on the side and shifted in away from JOLLY CONVERGENCE. BRIGHT KID, which was following HAPPY WIN WIN, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the 700 Metres, ALL BEST FRIENDS was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, BRIGHT KID raced tight between ALL BEST FRIENDS and HAPPY WIN WIN which shifted out. Approaching the 200 Metres, TOP SCORE shifted out abruptly, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten his mount to prevent causing interference to HAPPY WIN WIN. Near the 50 Metres, WINNING TOGETHER momentarily had some difficulty securing clear running. Over the concluding stages, HAPPY WIN WIN raced in restricted room outside the heels of TOP SCORE and inside BRIGHT KID. After the race, C Y Ho (TOP SCORE) reported that his saddle shifted to the left hand side after the 900 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KING’S TROOPER, J Moreira stated that at its most recent start when successful he had been asked to obtain a forward position, however, after beginning only fairly and then being bumped by SMART OF YOUTH, KING’S TROOPER was required to race further back in the field than had been anticipated. He said, from barrier 2 tonight, he was given the same instructions as last start and that was to take advantage of the inside barrier and obtain a forward position if possible. He said KING’S TROOPER began very well and he only had to ride the horse along for a short distance to be able to obtain a prominent position. He said he was very satisfied with the manner in which KING’S TROOPER travelled in the early and middle stages and he expected that the horse would quicken well when asked. He added however that after being placed under pressure at the 400 Metres KING’S TROOPER immediately came under pressure and did not quicken as he anticipated it would. He said he had to ride his mount aggressively rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, however, KING’S TROOPER did not respond to his riding and was particularly weak over the final 100 Metres when it gave ground noticeably to finish at the tail of the field. He said when pulling up after the race KING’S TROOPER became unbalanced in its action and did not feel comfortable and this was in contrast to the manner in which it pulled up after its last start success. A veterinary inspection of KING’S TROOPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KING’S TROOPER, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KING’S TROOPER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards will interview Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of KING’S TROOPER, prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 3 November 2019. A veterinary inspection of THE ABRAXAS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING’S TROOPER, AURORA PEGASUS and TOP SCORE were sent for sampling. <3/11/2019 30 October 2019 Happy Valley Racemeeting – Race 5 (137)>The Stewards today questioned Trainer P F Yiu regarding the disappointing performance of KING’S TROOPER. Mr Yiu said based on the manner in which KING’S TROOPER was successful at its previous start, he believed that the horse was best suited when able to obtain cover. He said in this race KING’S TROOPER, from an inside barrier, was left racing without cover outside the lead and he was of the opinion that KING’S TROOPER did not settle well enough to be able to finish off the race. He added it is his intention, wherever possible in the future, for KING’S TROOPER to obtain cover so that the horse is able to close off its race.