17/02/2021  Happy Valley  Race 3

Trainer Y S Tsui was fined $3,000 for presenting READY CONQUEROR in the Parade Ring without a parade hood, part of that horse’s declared gear. READY CONQUEROR began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between EVERBRAVE and DR EQ which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. AFTER ME lost its right hind plate shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, TARGET FINDER became unbalanced after being bumped by JOY AVENUE which shifted out after being bumped by EVERBRAVE. From wide barriers, DR PROACTIVE and ARDENODE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 500 Metres, EVERBRAVE shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of DR EQ and bumped the hindquarters of AFTER ME. Throughout the race, FLYING MONKEY travelled wide and without cover and making the turn after the 500 Metres got its head on the side and lay out. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on ARDENODE at the request of Trainer W Y So. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ARDENODE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DR EQ, A Badel stated that he had ridden the horse in a barrier trial in the lead up to tonight’s race and the horse had performed well in that trial. He said from barrier 1 he was able to obtain a good run behind the leaders in the early and middle stages and rounding the Home Turn he anticipated that DR EQ would finish off the race well. He said however that after shifting DR EQ to the outside of the leader VIVA MAMA in the early part of the Straight, the horse did not quicken as he anticipated and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of DR EQ immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of READY CONQUEROR and EVERBRAVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DR EQ, JOY AVENUE and AFTER ME were sent for sampling.