11/12/2019  Happy Valley  Race 9

TRANSCENDENT, which was very fractious when being transported to Happy Valley from Sha Tin, was examined by the Veterinary Officer in the holding stalls and found to have sustained a left front foot injury and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, TRANSCENDENT was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, TRANSCENDENT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FIRST RESPONDER began awkwardly, shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside STARLIGHT. SHINING ACE and SHANGHAI MASTER bumped at the start. CUE THE MUSIC shifted out on jumping and bumped NORDIC WARRIOR. E MASTER was crowded for room on jumping between PRIVATE ROCKET and LE TERROIR which shifted in. From the outside barrier, SEATTLE CHOICE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages and approaching the 1000 Metres was awkwardly placed behind MY DARLING. Passing the 1100 Metres, NORDIC WARRIOR was momentarily crowded for room inside LE TERROIR (J Moreira) which shifted in before being directed out abruptly to relieve the tightening to NORDIC WARRIOR. J Moreira was reprimanded. When being directed out away from NORDIC WARRIOR, LE TERROIR then raced tight inside PRIVATE ROCKET which was shifting in. In the early stages, MY DARLING was shifted across in an attempt to obtain cover, however, after the 900 Metres raced wide and without cover. Passing the 900 Metres, SEATTLE CHOICE commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of MY DARLING. Near the 850 Metres, LE TERROIR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PRIVATE ROCKET. After this, LE TERROIR travelled keenly and raced close to the heels of PRIVATE ROCKET. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SHANGHAI MASTER and SHINING ACE raced tight as SHINING ACE shifted out away from the heels of CUE THE MUSIC. Passing the 400 Metres, SHANGHAI MASTER became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by SHINING ACE (B Shinn) which shifted out from behind CUE THE MUSIC. B Shinn was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Rounding the Home Turn, E MASTER and NORDIC WARRIOR raced tight. After the 200 Metres, NORDIC WARRIOR improved into tight running inside SEATTLE CHOICE and to the outside of MY DARLING. NORDIC WARRIOR and SEATTLE CHOICE then raced tight for some distance passing the 100 Metres, causing both horses to become unbalanced. SEATTLE CHOICE then lay in, resulting in NORDIC WARRIOR being inconvenienced near the 50 Metres. J Moreira (LE TERROIR) stated that the intention was to obtain a forward position on the horse. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, LE TERROIR did not show as much early speed as a number of horses which were drawn more favourably. He said therefore, after travelling a short distance, he believed it was in the best interests of LE TERROIR to obtain cover rather than continuing to ride forward in an attempt to clear runners to his inside. He said this resulted in LE TERROIR racing further back in the field than had been intended. After the race, S de Sousa expressed concern regarding the action of PRIVATE ROCKET. A veterinary inspection of PRIVATE ROCKET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, PRIVATE ROCKET will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LE TERROIR and SHANGHAI MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LE TERROIR, CUE THE MUSIC and STARLIGHT were sent for sampling.