05/02/2020  Happy Valley  Race 5

MANAGEMENT STAR stood flat-footed as the start was effected and consequently lost a significant amount of ground. Having regard to MANAGEMENT STAR’s previous poor record of leaving the barrier stalls in a timely manner, the Stewards ruled that that horse must perform satisfactory in a series of consecutive barrier trials prior to being allowed to race again. FANTASTIC BOY shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of CASA DE FORCA, causing both horses to become unbalanced. From the outside barriers, SUPREME PATROL and BULB ELITE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. DOR DOR and TUNG WAH GLORY were also steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. For some distance after the 1400 Metres, SNOW AIRJET proved very difficult to settle when being steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 1300 Metres, FLAME LILY got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly across the heels of LIGHTNING STEED. ORIENTAL ELITE, which was racing outside FLAME LILY, was inconvenienced in consequence. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, CASA DE FORCA was crowded for room between FANTASTIC BOY and DOR DOR, both of which shifted ground. BULB ELITE had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 100 Metres. Close to the finishing line, TUNG WAH GLORY and MANAGEMENT STAR raced tight. Throughout the race, ORIENTAL ELITE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was instructed to ride CASA DE FORCA in the first three if possible. He said after CASA DE FORCA became unbalanced on jumping, this resulted in FLAME LILY and THUNDER STOMP, which were drawn outside CASA DE FORCA, having an advantage over his mount in the early stages. He said as both horses were being vigorously ridden to obtain a forward position, he believed that he would have had to make a lot of use of CASA DE FORCA to prevent those horses from crossing his mount and therefore he steadied CASA DE FORCA approaching the winning post on the first occasion to allow FLAME LILY to cross. He said he was comfortable to allow that horse to cross as it appeared as though FLAME LILY was going to take up a leading position, however, after crossing CASA DE FORCA passing the winning post on the first occasion, FLAME LILY was then steadied to allow LIGHTNING STEED to cross and this resulted in CASA DE FORCA racing further back in the field than had been intended. CASA DE FORCA, THUNDER STOMP and DOR DOR were sent for sampling. <6/2/2020 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that SNOW AIRJET was lame in its right front leg in the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SNOW AIRJET will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.