13/01/2021  Happy Valley  Race 6

MASTER ALBERT lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and was slow to begin. PACKING CHAMPION jumped out at the start, resulting in DAY DAY RICH, which began awkwardly, being tightened onto the hindquarters of NOBLE BIRTH. ZACIAN was checked away from the heels of MIGHTY POWER which got its head on the side and shifted in soon after the start. H N Wong, the rider of TOP ACCOLADE, was reminded of his obligation under the Rules in respect of using his whip on a horse out of contention. When questioned, K C Leung stated that, from a wide barrier, he was instructed to shift SPEEDY OPTIMIST across behind runners in the early stages and obtain cover in midfield if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he shifted across and took cover one horse away from the rail behind TELECOM ROCKET at the 1000 Metres with the horse settling behind midfield. He said SPEEDY OPTIMIST travelled satisfactorily and when brought to the outside in the Straight closed off the race well. Trainer C H Yip confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Leung. He said the horse had performed well on 28 October 2020 at Happy Valley when ridden back in the field from a wide barrier and that although it had been ridden closer to the pace at its last two starts, it had drawn favourably on those occasions. He said he was concerned that if SPEEDY OPTIMIST were to be ridden for speed tonight, there was a strong likelihood of the horse being left racing wide and without cover and not being able to finish off the race. He added that SPEEDY OPTIMIST has displayed tactical versatility in its races and if it were to draw an inside barrier at its future starts, the horse could be ridden in a forward position. After the race, M F Poon advised that, from the outside barrier, he was asked to ride SPEED TO EXCEED positively and endeavour to take up as prominent a position as possible. He said however that SPEED TO EXCEED was forced to race wide and without cover throughout the event and in the Straight gave ground. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on DAY DAY RICH at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of MASTER ALBERT immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. NOBLE BIRTH and WHISKEY NEAT were sent for sampling.