27/11/2019  Happy Valley  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, T H So expressed concern regarding the action of PLANET NICCONI. PLANET NICCONI was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, PLANET NICCONI was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, PLANET NICCONI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KING’S TROOPER shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SPEEDY MISSILE. KING’S TROOPER then shifted out and brushed SPICY REALLY. From the outside barrier, SPLIT OF A SECOND was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Shortly after the start, MEHBOOB and JOLLY CONVERGENCE raced tight. JOLLY CONVERGENCE was then checked a short distance after the start when crowded between MEHBOOB and GINTOKI which shifted in marginally before making contact with JOLLY CONVERGENCE, becoming badly unbalanced and shifting in further despite the efforts of its rider who attempted to straighten GINTOKI. In this incident, FARSHAD was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MEHBOOB as that horse shifted in after becoming unbalanced as a result of being bumped by JOLLY CONVERGENCE. Passing the 1000 Metres, FARSHAD commenced to travel keenly and when being shifted behind LITTLE THUNDER clipped the heels of that horse and stumbled badly. JOLLY CONVERGENCE, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of FARSHAD in consequence. After the 900 Metres, SPICY REALLY commenced to travel keenly, got its head on the side and lay in when awkwardly placed behind KING’S TROOPER. After this, SPICY REALLY continued to travel keenly and after continuing to race close to the heels of KING’S TROOPER after the 700 Metres was then checked away from the heels of that horse near the 650 Metres when KING’S TROOPER was itself awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE THUNDER. In this incident, SPICY REALLY shifted out and raced tight with JOLLY CONVERGENCE. Then passing the 600 Metres, SPICY REALLY, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of KING’S TROOPER when bumped by JOLLY CONVERGENCE which got its head on the side and lay in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FARSHAD. SPLIT OF A SECOND, which was following SPICY REALLY, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse passing the 550 Metres. Approaching the 800 Metres, GINTOKI got its head on the side, lay in and made contact with MEHBOOB. Approaching the 400 Metres, LITTLE THUNDER and FARSHAD raced tight. At the entrance to the Straight, STAR OF THEHARBOUR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE THUNDER when being shifted to the outside of that horse. After this, STAR OF THEHARBOUR raced with its head on the side and lay in and passing the 100 Metres raced tight outside FARSHAD. STAR OF THEHARBOUR continued to lay in until passing the winning post. After the race, S de Sousa stated that after being ridden along to obtain a forward position, LITTLE THUNDER appeared to travel comfortably throughout the early and middle stages. He said LITTLE THUNDER came under pressure after the 600 Metres and he was obliged to ride his mount vigorously after the 500 Metres in order to maintain its position. He added LITTLE THUNDER then gave ground over the final 200 Metres and raced disappointingly. A veterinary inspection of LITTLE THUNDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MEHBOOB and KING’S TROOPER were sent for sampling.