14/04/2021  Happy Valley  Race 2

SUNNY SMILE began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped HAPPY HOUR. SUNNY SMILE then got its head up when being steadied and shortly after the start became badly unbalanced after being bumped by BABY STORM which was taken out by EVEN KEEL. When badly unbalanced, SUNNY SMILE shifted out and bumped HAPPY HOUR. Also in this incident, BABY STORM, which was being ridden along to obtain a forward position, became unbalanced after bumping SUNNY SMILE. From wide barriers, WEALTHY EMPLOYEE, SKY GEM and JOY N FUN LEGEND were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, SOCCER MASTER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FAIRY FLOSS which was steadied to obtain cover behind VIRTUS STAR. Rounding the Home Turn, FAIRY FLOSS raced close to the heels of VIRTUS STAR and then on straightening was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of that horse. Also rounding the Home Turn, JOY N FUN LEGEND improved into tight running between WEALTHY EMPLOYEE and SKY GEM. Approaching the 100 Metres, BABY STORM was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of HAPPY HOUR to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, INDIGENOUS STAR travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY SMILE immediately following the race found that horse to have a continuous displacement of the soft palate. The performance of SUNNY SMILE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY SMILE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, A Badel (VIRTUS STAR) stated that after the horse performed well when ridden in a forward position last start, he recommended to connections that they considered stepping the horse up in distance in the anticipation that it would be able to again obtain a forward position and perhaps an uncontested lead. He said accordingly it was decided to enter VIRTUS STAR for tonight’s race over 1800 Metres. He said after again obtaining a forward position, VIRTUS STAR travelled very well in the early and middle stages when leading outright. He said EVEN KEEL improved its position to be racing outside VIRTUS STAR after the 600 Metres which resulted in VIRTUS STAR having to be placed under pressure earlier than what he had hoped. He added VIRTUS STAR did not quicken as anticipated and after staying on only one-paced in the early part of the Straight then weakened over the concluding stages which led him to form the opinion that the horse had not seen out the 1800 Metres of tonight’s race. He said accordingly he recommended to connections that they consider dropping the horse back in distance at its future starts and perhaps riding it more conservatively as it had also performed well previously when ridden in this manner. A veterinary inspection of VIRTUS STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that on return to Sha Tin, the horse was found to have sustained a minor laceration to the left hind heel. After the race, Z Purton stated that after coming under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn, HAPPY HOUR finished off the race satisfactorily until near the 100 Metres at which stage it became unbalanced in its action. He said after this, despite being ridden out, HAPPY HOUR commenced to give ground and therefore he did not ride it out over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY HOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY HOUR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SKY GEM, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS and JOY N FUN LEGEND were sent for sampling.