23/12/2020  Happy Valley  Race 8

MIG ENERGY and KINDA COOL made contact on jumping. From wide barriers, SHOUSON and SHAMPORT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied with a view to obtaining cover behind TAKING AIM approaching the 700 Metres, ISLAND SHINE (N Callan) shifted in abruptly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TAKING AIM, resulting in HINCHINLOVE being checked when crowded for room. In this incident, ISLAND SHINE clipped the heels of TAKING AIM, resulting in TAKING AIM losing its left hind plate and ISLAND SHINE losing its right front plate. Whilst the Stewards accepted that his mount had lay in and become awkward near the heels of TAKING AIM, nonetheless N Callan was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. TAKING AIM was left racing wide and without cover approaching the 600 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, MIG ENERGY and TAKING AIM raced tight as MIG ENERGY shifted out to improve. Passing the 200 Metres, C Soumillon (STANLEY PARK) momentarily dropped his left rein. For a short distance after the 200 Metres, STAR OF YUEN LONG was briefly held up when awkwardly placed behind FLYING BONUS and inside BLOTTING PAPER. Near the 100 Metres, WIND N GRASS and STANLEY PARK brushed as WIND N GRASS shifted out to improve around the heels of KINDA COOL. Over the concluding stages, ISLAND SHINE was inclined to lay in under pressure. A veterinary inspection of STANLEY PARK, HINCHINLOVE and TAKING AIM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KINDA COOL and SHOUSON were sent for sampling.