18/03/2020  Happy Valley  Race 4

ENJOY LIFE began awkwardly and then was bumped by CASIMIRO which shifted out at the start. From wide barriers, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING and TRIUMPHANT HORSE were shifted across behind runners soon after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, YOU HAVE MY WORD was steadied and was awkwardly placed inside ENJOY LIFE (V Borges) which, after shifting in of its own accord, then shifted in marginally away from TRIUMPHANT HORSE (J Moreira) which was also shifting in to take up a position closer to the rail. Both V Borges and J Moreira were spoken to for shifting in at a relatively acute angle and were advised to exercise far more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. At the entrance to the Straight, MEGATRON and LET’S TAKE IT EASY were inconvenienced and forced wider by ALPHA HEDGE (C Y Ho) which shifted around the heels of CALIFORNIA LEGEND to improve. C Y Ho was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. C Y Ho, the rider of ALPHA HEDGE, was warned for having used his whip down the shoulder of the horse on a number of occasions in the Straight. When questioned regarding his riding of LIGHTNING STEED and the pace of the race in the early and middle stages, Apprentice C Wong stated that he was instructed to either lead on LIGHTNING STEED or with the option to sit outside CALIFORNIA LEGEND which was also anticipated to be ridden to obtain a forward position in the early stages. He said after being ridden along to clear runners to his inside in the early stages, he shifted over and was racing about half a length in advance of CALIFORNIA LEGEND approaching the 1300 Metres. He said when the rider of that horse was intent on holding his position inside LIGHTNING STEED, he elected to steady his mount to sit off CALIFORNIA LEGEND, however, LIGHTNING STEED was travelling keenly and would not come back sufficiently for him to achieve this. He said therefore near the 1100 Metres he decided to allow his mount to stride forward of CALIFORNIA LEGEND and assumed the outright lead even though he was cognizant that the pace had been quite strong. The Stewards advised Apprentice Wong that they recognized that he had made some endeavour to steady LIGHTNING STEED after the 1200 Metres to remain racing outside CALIFORNIA LEGEND and he did reduce the tempo along the Back Straight to provide LIGHTENING STEED with the opportunity to finish off the race, he was advised nonetheless to ensure that he is mindful of the early pace that he is setting in races. A veterinary inspection of YOU HAVE MY WORD, CALIFORNIA LEGEND and ENJOY LIFE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BULB ELITE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. ALPHA HEDGE and LIGHTNING STEED were sent for sampling.