23/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 9

On arrival at the Start, H T Mo expressed concern regarding the action of HIGHLY PROACTIVE. An examination of HIGHLY PROACTIVE conducted by the Veterinary Officer was not able to detect any obvious abnormalities, however, as H T Mo was not comfortable with the manner in which HIGHLY PROACTIVE proceeded to the barriers and advised that he did not wish to ride the horse, HIGHLY PROACTIVE was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Having regard to the report submitted by Jockey Mo, the Stewards ruled that HIGHLY PROACTIVE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. From wide barriers, CARROLL STREET and DUKE WAI were shifted across behind runners on jumping. MAN STAR shifted out at the start and bumped KEEP YOU WARM. WE THE SOUTH began awkwardly. Passing the 1100 Metres, MAN STAR, which was being ridden along to obtain a forward position, shifted in and momentarily crowded the running of CARROLL STREET. MAN STAR was then directed out after the 1100 Metres to relieve the crowding and then travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres. Passing the 1000 Metres, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS got its head up when tight between CARROLL STREET which was racing tight inside MAN STAR and MAJESTIC STAR. Near the 850 Metres, CARROLL STREET shifted in despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in EXPLOSIVE WITNESS, which was travelling keenly, being crowded for room and taken in, causing LOVING A BOOM to be inconvenienced. CARROLL STREET was then shifted out abruptly to relieve the crowding to EXPLOSIVE WITNESS. After the 700 Metres, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS again got its head up when racing close to the heels of KEEP YOU WARM. HARMONY N BLESSED became unbalanced rounding the Home Turn. Approaching the 150 Metres, SIGHT SUCCESS was checked away from the heels of VOYAGE WARRIOR when disappointed for running between that horse which shifted out marginally and KEEP YOU WARM. In this incident, SIGHT SUCCESS bumped the hindquarters of KEEP YOU WARM which became unbalanced. Over the concluding stages, VOYAGE WARRIOR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LOVING A BOOM which shifted in under pressure. Then close to the finishing line, LOVING A BOOM (M F Poon) continued to shift in towards the heels of KEEP YOU WARM, resulting in LOVING A BOOM being awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse and VOYAGE WARRIOR continuing to race tight inside the heels of LOVING A BOOM. Because of these circumstances, M F Poon was not able to ride his mount all the way to the of the race as he otherwise would. Close to the finishing line, DUKE WAI (M Chadwick) was checked away from the heels of MAJESTIC STAR when held up for clear running behind that horse. When racing close to the heels of MAJESTIC STAR, DUKE WAI stumbled just prior to the winning post. Because of these incidents, DUKE WAI was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. When held up behind MAJESTIC STAR, M Chadwick dropped his whip. A veterinary inspection of SIGHT SUCCESS, CARROLL STREET and HARMONY N BLESSED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAJESTIC STAR and KEEP YOU WARM were sent for sampling.