23/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 3

C L Chau was fined the sum of $5,000 for weighing in 2 lbs overweight on SPARKY STAR. SMILING CITY shifted out at the start and brushed LOYAL AMBITION. SPARKY STAR began awkwardly and then was bumped by PACKING AWARD which shifted in. After this, SPARKY STAR, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, V CHEVALIERS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EEVEE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ERNEST FEELING when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. PACKING AWARD, which was racing outside EEVEE, got its head up when also being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. As PACKING AWARD was being steadied, WIN WIN FIGHTER improved its position quickly to be racing to the inside of the heels of PACKING AWARD which resulted in JOLLY HONOUR and LOYAL AMBITION racing tight for a short distance before PACKING AWARD shifted out to relieve the tightening to its inside. After the 1300 Metres, PACKING AWARD was left racing wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, SMILING CITY got its head on the side and lay out and again lay out making the turn near the 600 Metres when awkwardly placed behind SUPER RED DRAGON, resulting in ERNEST FEELING becoming unbalanced when being crowded for room inside EEVEE. After this, SMILING CITY continued to race with its head on the side when travelling close to the heels of SUPER RED DRAGON. At the entrance to the Straight, MAXIMIZE HEART became unbalanced after shifting out and bumping PACKING AWARD when racing tight outside SUPER RED DRAGON which improved to the outside of OUR CREED. Passing the 400 Metres, JOLLY HONOUR (K C Leung) was held up for clear running behind ERNEST FEELING and then rounding the Home Turn shifted out away from the heels of ERNEST FEELING and bumped V CHEVALIERS which became unbalanced. K C Leung was reprimanded and told to exercise more care than he did on this occasion when shifting ground. Passing the 300 Metres, ERNEST FEELING and EEVEE raced tight. Approaching the 100 Metres, V CHEVALIERS shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to correct his mount. Near the 50 Metres, LOYAL AMBITION was shifted out away from the heels of OUR CREED. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of M F Poon (LOYAL AMBITION), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position having regard to the neck margin between his mount and OUR CREED, 5th placegetter, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. After the race, V Borges stated that MAXIMIZE HEART travelled comfortably in the lead until rounding the Home Turn. He said after being bumped and becoming unbalanced on straightening, MAXIMIZE HEART immediately came under pressure and then despite being ridden out gave ground noticeably, particularly over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of MAXIMIZE HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MAXIMIZE HEART, a last start winner and which finished towards the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MAXIMIZE HEART 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 V CHEVALIERS and ERNEST FEELING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EEVEE, PACKING AWARD and SUPER RED DRAGON were sent for sampling.