27/04/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

HAPPY DAILY got its head up on jumping when being steadied to obtain cover. KOWLOON GREAT shifted in at the start, resulting in COPARTNER FIONN, which began awkwardly, being hampered. After this, KOWLOON GREAT was steadied to obtain cover. From wide barriers, CROSSFORD and INVINCIBLE MISSILE were steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. Approaching the 1300 Metres, COPARTNER FIONN got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of KING’S CAPITAL. HAPPY DAILY got its head on the side and lay out passing the 450 Metres. Close to the finishing line, BEAUTY GLORY, which was laying out, raced tight inside the heels of VIVA HUNTER which also shifted in. After the race, K C Leung stated that as the track appeared to be favouring horses which were ridden in forward positions, it was decided, from barrier 2, to ride PRIME MINISTER in a more forward position. He said with PRIME MINISTER rising in weight tonight, it was felt that it would be in the best interests of the horse to take advantage of the inside draw so that the horse did not have to do too much work over the latter stages to be competitive. He said PRIME MINISTER travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages, however, came off the bridle prior to the 600 Metres and then did not finish the race off as strongly as it had previously. He added because of this he was of the opinion that PRIME MINISTER is better suited when ridden more conservatively than it was tonight. A veterinary inspection of PRIME MINISTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, H Bentley stated that INVINCIBLE MISSILE, which was having its first start since early February tonight, did not travel as strongly as it did when he had previously ridden the horse. He said INVINCIBLE MISSILE is normally a horse which travels strongly in its races, however, the horse came under pressure passing the 700 Metres and then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of INVINCIBLE MISSILE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of COPARTNER FIONN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VIVA HUNTER and GAMEPLAYER TIMES were sent for sampling.