12/02/2020  Happy Valley  Race 7

REYNOLDS was withdrawn on 10.2.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter RACING LUCK. Before being allowed to race again, REYNOLDS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTY HAPPY began only fairly and then was steadied shortly after the start when crowded for room between FARSHAD and VIGOR FAME which was taken in by PARTY TOGETHER. After this, BEAUTY HAPPY was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. XIANG BAI QI was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, RACING LUCK raced tight inside STARSHIP which was taken in by JADE FORTUNE which was shifted in away from the heels of SOLAR WAI WAI. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, XIANG BAI QI lay in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of runners. FLYING QUEST had some difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn. For the majority of the race, JADE FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover. M F Poon (FLYING QUEST) was warned against the practice of raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of VIGOR FAME, Z Purton stated that the horse was able to enjoy a "soft” lead and was able to dictate the tempo of the race to suit. He said VIGOR FAME was still travelling well after the 400 Metres, however, when headed by PARTY TOGETHER and FARSHAD, immediately came under pressure, did not quicken as he anticipated and commenced to give ground shortly after entering the Straight. He added given the run that VIGOR FAME had during the race, he was not able to offer any explanation for the manner in which it gave ground noticeably in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of VIGOR FAME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of VIGOR FAME, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VIGOR FAME will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, M F Poon (FLYING QUEST) stated that passing the 300 Metres he considered improving between JADE FORTUNE and RACING LUCK as a run was available between those horses. He said however he noted that the rider of RACING LUCK was using his whip in the left hand and that the horse was starting to drift inwards near the 250 Metres, so he elected to direct FLYING QUEST to the outside of RACING LUCK approaching the 200 Metres. He said as he did this, the rider of RACING LUCK then changed his whip into his right hand, however, by this stage he had already committed to shift to the outside of RACING LUCK. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY HAPPY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SOLAR WAI WAI, FARSHAD and RACING LUCK were sent for sampling.