28/10/2020  Happy Valley  Race 9

PACKING WALTHAM began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of ENRICHMENT which shifted in. AMAZING BEATS shifted in at the start and bumped AMAZING ONE PLUS. From wide barriers, STAR SHINE and KYRUS UNICORN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1600 Metres, RELIABLE TEAM was steadied away from the heels of BEAR AGAIN (V Borges) which shifted in when not properly clear. V Borges was reprimanded. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, TIANCHI MONSTER and ENJOYING raced tight. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, TIANCHI MONSTER was steadied away from the heels of INSAYSHABLE (N Callan) which shifted in when not properly clear. N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. AMAZING BEATS travelled wide and without cover in the early stages and after the 1300 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 1000 Metres. Passing the 900 Metres, ENJOYING raced tight inside INSAYSHABLE which improve to be racing tight inside the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS. After the 200 Metres, BEAR AGAIN shifted out under pressure. Passing the 100 Metres, RELIABLE TEAM, which was giving ground, was momentarily shifted out away from the heels of STAR SHINE which lay out under pressure. After the 100 Metres, ENRICHMENT was hampered by KYRUS UNICORN, which, when finishing off the race, was shifted to the outside of TIANCHI MONSTER to obtain clear running. After the race, Z Purton reported that RELIABLE TEAM travelled too keenly and would not relax. He said because RELIABLE TEAM would not settle, the horse was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of RELIABLE TEAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, K C Leung stated that he was asked to ride AMAZING ONE PLUS in about 5th or 6th position if possible. He said it was anticipated that RELIABLE TEAM would obtain a trailing position behind the leaders and it was hoped that AMAZING ONE PLUS would be able to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He said after riding his mount positively to obtain a forward position in the early stages, he shifted across to race outside RELIABLE TEAM approaching the 1600 Metres and as there were already a number of runners which had occupied positions behind RELIABLE TEAM, he was left with no alternative but to allow his mount to stride forward of RELIABLE TEAM approaching the winning post on the first occasion to avoid covering unnecessary ground. He said after shifting across to race outside the leader passing the winning post on the first occasion, AMAZING ONE PLUS would then not settle and travelled too keenly. He said, despite his efforts, he could not get the horse to relax as it did at its last start when ridden more conservatively and because of the manner in which AMAZING ONE PLUS travelled in the early and middle stages, the horse was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING ONE PLUS immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING ONE PLUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards will interview Mr C S Shum, the trainer of AMAZING ONE PLUS, regarding the tactics adopted on that horse prior to the Sha Tin Racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 1 November 2020. A veterinary inspection of ENJOYING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COLUMBUS COUNTY and BEAR AGAIN were sent for sampling.