04/03/2020  Happy Valley  Race 1

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that DEMONS ROCK had been kicked by a lead pony on the way to the barriers and had sustained a wound to the left stifle. An examination of DEMONS ROCK by the Veterinary Officer found that horse not to be suitable to race and accordingly was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, DEMONS ROCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FIRE AND GOLD was checked and PRAWN YEAH YEAH badly hampered when crowded for room on jumping between GREAT SON and YEE CHEONG LUCKY (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted out. In this incident, GREAT SON became badly unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by PRAWN YEAH YEAH. Apprentice Wong was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. U W BROTHER was crowded for room shortly after the start between FARM BUMPER and AURORA STEED which shifted out. In this incident, FARM BUMPER became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by U W BROTHER. From a wide barrier, TRAVEL SUCCESSOR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 800 Metres, GREAT SON was steadied away from the heels of AURORA STEED which was taken in by U W BROTHER (H N Wong) which shifted in when being ridden along. H N Wong was reprimanded. Then approaching the 750 Metres, AURORA STEED was bumped by U W BROTHER which shifted in away from LA BOMBA which had shifted in to assume the ground left by U W BROTHER. When U W BROTHER shifted in and bumped AURORA STEED, U W BROTHER became badly unbalanced due to contact on the hindquarters, resulting in the horse shifting in further despite the efforts of its rider, causing AURORA STEED to be hampered and to lose its running inside U W BROTHER. H N Wong was advised that there were a number of circumstances with this element of the incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, FARM BUMPER was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance after the 500 Metres, AURORA STEED was awkwardly placed behind U W BROTHER. Passing the 450 Metres, MULTIMAX and U W BROTHER raced tight. YEE CHEONG LUCKY, which was following MULTIMAX, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. YEE CHEONG LUCKY was then held up for clear running behind MULTIMAX rounding the Home Turn. After the 100 Metres, U W BROTHER was crowded for room between YEE CHEONG LUCKY and SHOW MISSION (G van Niekerk) which, after being held up for clear running behind LA BOMBA, shifted to the outside of that horse and bumped U W BROTHER. As SHOW MISSION was improving to the outside of LA BOMBA which was giving ground, LA BOMBA shifted out marginally, resulting in SHOW MISSION having to shift out away from the heels of that horse which resulted in the crowding. G van Niekerk was told that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must exercise more care when improving into tight running. Over the concluding stages, FIRE AND GOLD was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LA BOMBA. Close to the finishing line, SHOW MISSION was steadied away from the heels of AURORA STEED and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding the performance of GREAT SON, Apprentice K H Chan stated that he was instructed to attempt to lead tonight’s race. He said after beginning only fairly, GREAT SON became badly unbalanced shortly after the start when bumped heavily on the hindquarters which resulted in GREAT SON becoming unbalanced. He said after this he rode his mount along in an endeavour to obtain as forward a position as possible, however, after being steadied away from the heels of AURORA STEED passing the 800 Metres, GREAT SON lost momentum and was required to race much further back in the field than had been intended. He said after this incident GREAT SON was required to race in a three wide position albeit with cover behind FARM BUMPER. He said approaching and passing the 400 Metres GREAT SON was taken wider as horses to its inside shifted out and GREAT SON then gave ground in the Straight. He added, in his opinion, the performance of GREAT SON was attributable to the horse having to race further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of GREAT SON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of U W BROTHER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREAT SON, FARM BUMPER and AURORA STEED were sent for sampling.