09/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 2

At the time of declarations, K H Chan (ANONYMA) advised probable overweight of 2 lbs. The Stewards then permitted K H Chan to ride ANONYMA 3 lbs overweight when weighing out to ride ANONYMA when there was no rider who was either able to ride the horse or was willing to ride it. Due to the extenuating circumstances associated with this matter, the Stewards took no action against Jockey Chan. FORTUNE TRIPLE began awkwardly, shifted out and brushed WEALTHY EMPLOYEE. ANONYMA began very awkwardly and lost ground. FORTUNE PATROL was slow to begin. LEGEND GOES and SMILING FACE bumped at the start. After this, SMILING FACE and LEGEND GOES were shifted across behind runners from wide barriers to obtain positions closer to the rail. From a wide barrier, SKY GEM was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 2100 Metres, SKY GEM was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMILING FACE. Near the 950 Metres, ANONYMA was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FORTUNE TRIPLE which shifted to the outside of WEALTHY EMPLOYEE. After the 950 Metres, SKY GEM travelled wide and without cover and approaching the 600 Metres got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of GO BALLISTIC. SMILING FACE, which was following SKY GEM, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence. WONDER WIN was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn. SKY GEM lay in in the early part of the Straight. After the 300 Metres, CROWN AVENUE lay in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of GO BALLISTIC to obtain clear running. When being shifted to the outside of GO BALLISTIC passing the 200 Metres, CROWN AVENUE shifted out and bumped SMILING FACE on two occasions. CROWN AVENUE then raced tight inside SMILING FACE over the concluding stages as SMILING FACE lay in under pressure. Mr L Ho, trainer of WONDER WIN, which was running over the distance for the first time tonight, stated that from the outside barrier and with a limited run to the first turn, he was concerned that too much use of WONDER WIN would have to be made of the horse to obtain a forward position. Therefore he instructed K C Leung, the rider of WONDER WIN, to steady his mount in the early stages and obtain cover towards the rear of the field. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JOLLY FOREVER, K Teetan stated that he was instructed to ride the horse in a similar manner as to last start when successful, that is to improve his position mid-race if the tempo of the race was not quick. He said in accordance with his instructions he commenced to improve his position at the 1000 Metres as he felt that the tempo was commencing to slacken. He said whilst JOLLY FOREVER picked up and was able to go forward at this time, the horse did not do so as strongly as it did last start and he was therefore not able to clear GRAND POWER to race on the rail after the 700 Metres as he had hoped. He said by the 600 Metres JOLLY FOREVER was already under heavy pressure and after giving him a limited response until rounding the Home Turn JOLLY FOREVER commenced to give ground prior to the 200 Metres and then weakened noticeably over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY FOREVER, immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of JOLLY FOREVER, a last start winner and favourite for tonight’s race and which finished towards the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY FOREVER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE TRIPLE, GRAND POWER and ANONYMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JOLLY FOREVER, FORTUNE PATROL and GO BALLISTIC were sent for sampling.