08/09/2021  Happy Valley  Race 3

MEANINGFUL STAR was crowded for room on jumping between ZHAN JIANG ROCKS and EVER LAUGH, both of which shifted ground. From the outside barriers, INGENIOUS FELLOW, SURE WIN WIN, DREAM WARRIORS and VILLA FIONN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the 1600 Metres, PEARL CHAMPION and EVER LAUGH bumped on two occasions. After the 1600 Metres, MEANINGFUL STAR was shifted in away from the heels of YOO YOO KING which was then directed out abruptly to relieve the crowding to MEANINGFUL STAR. After the 1400 Metres, DREAM WARRIORS was left racing wide and without cover and was then steadied passing the 1300 Metres to obtain cover behind SURE WIN WIN. After the 1300 Metres, INGENIOUS FELLOW got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in SURE WIN WIN being hampered. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, BLAZING BEAT was awkwardly placed behind PIANO SOLO when travelling keenly. Passing the 200 Metres, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was shifted in away from the heels of BLAZING BEAT to continue improving. L Ferraris, the rider of SUPERB DADDY, was reprimanded for weighing in following the race 3 lbs overweight after having declared 2 lbs overweight at the time of weighed-out. In assessing this matter, the Stewards took into consideration that this was just the second racemeeting that Jockey Ferraris had ridden at in Hong Kong. After the race, Apprentice C L Chau dismounted from DREAM WARRIORS. A veterinary inspection of DREAM WARRIORS immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, DREAM WARRIORS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, C Schofield stated that he had been riding PEARL CHAMPION in some of its work in the lead up to tonight’s race and this work, in his opinion, had been good. He said based on the horse’s track work, it was felt that PEARL CHAMPION would race well tonight. He said PEARL CHAMPION enjoyed a good run behind EVER LAUGH in the early and middle stages and he expected that the horse would finish off the race strongly. He added however that after shifting PEARL CHAMPION to the outside of EVER LAUGH near the 450 Metres, the horse immediately came under heavy pressure and after this, despite being ridden out, did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of PEARL CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ZHAN JIANG ROCKS, PIANO SOLO and MEANINGFUL STAR were sent for sampling.