08/06/2022  Happy Valley  Race 6

Whilst in the saddling stalls, BIG TWO was found to have sustained a laceration to the right hock. Acting on the Veterinary Officer’s report that BIG TWO was lame in the right hind leg and therefore not suitable to race, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, BIG TWO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REACH GOAL began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between TOYCOON and PERFECT TO GREAT (A Badel) which shifted in. A Badel was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances to prevent his mounts from shifting ground at the start and causing interference to other runners. TOYCOON then shifted in away from PERFECT TO GREAT and bumped KUNGFUMASTER PANDA which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, JOLLY HONOUR and METHANE were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, CHARIZARD was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 200 Metres, REACH GOAL shifted in and bumped MAXIMIZE HEART. Close to the finishing line, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA and PERFECT TO GREAT raced tight. After the race, H Bentley was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of TOYCOON. He said TOYCOON travelled strongly behind the leader and he anticipated that after obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn the horse would finish the race off strongly. He said TOYCOON came under pressure on straightening and then was very disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close the race off over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of TOYCOON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, K C Leung stated that after placing REACH GOAL under pressure rounding the Home Turn, his mount finished the race off only one-paced over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of REACH GOAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GOLD COMET and MAXIMIZE HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DRAGON PRIDE, SUN OF MAKFI and KUNGFUMASTER PANDA were sent for sampling.