14/07/2021  Happy Valley  Race 4

SKY TREASURE was withdrawn on 13.7.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ARES (C Schofield). ARES was subsequently withdrawn on raceday afternoon by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind). Before being allowed to race again, SKY TREASURE and ARES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, K Teetan expressed concern regarding the action of ISLAND SHINE. After examining ISLAND SHINE, the Veterinary Officer reported that after the necessary consultations the horse was found to be suitable to race. As the start was effected, MASTER OF FUN became fractious and reared, resulting in the horse losing a significant amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER OF FUN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. HAPPY TIME shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of HERO STAR, resulting on both horses becoming unbalanced. DAILY BEAUTY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, FORTUNE HAPPINESS was also steadied in the early stages and after the 1000 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, ISLAND SHINE was slow to muster speed. The Stewards opened an inquiry into the reason for ISLAND SHINE (K Teetan) falling at the 500 Metres. Evidence was taken from K Teetan, A Hamelin (FLYING SWORD), H Bentley (GOOD SHOT) and Apprentice C L Chau (XPONENTIAL). It was found that at the 550 Metres GOOD SHOT became badly unbalanced and lost ground when reluctant to improve its position inside XPONENTIAL which was racing outside the heels of HERO STAR. When GOOD SHOT became unbalanced, it shifted out towards the heels of XPONENTIAL, causing FLYING SWORD to lose ground when crowded for room between GOOD SHOT and FORTUNE HAPPINESS. When FLYING SWORD lost ground, ISLAND SHINE, which was racing to the outside of that horse, clipped the heels of FLYING SWORD and fell. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no rider error involved in this incident and that it was caused by GOOD SHOT being reluctant to maintain its position inside XPONENTIAL, no further action was taken other than GOOD SHOT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend and in amongst runners prior to being permitted to race again. When ISLAND SHINE fell, HAPPY TIME was hampered and lost ground and SINCERE BOY, which was following that horse, was checked in consequence. DAILY BEAUTY, which was following ISLAND SHINE, was severely checked and lost ground whilst MASTER OF FUN was also severely checked to avoid ISLAND SHINE which resulted in MASTER OF FUN losing a significant amount of ground and being eased down rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of ISLAND SHINE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in the right hind with abrasions to that leg. Before being allowed to race again, ISLAND SHINE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, K Teetan was examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. In the Straight, FORTUNE HAPPINESS lay in under pressure. A veterinary inspection of DAILY BEAUTY and FLYING SWORD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MASTER OF FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. HAPPY PROFIT, XPONENTIAL and FORTUNE HAPPINESS were sent for sampling.