08/06/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

WIND N GRASS was crowded for room on jumping between MERIDIAN GENIUS and KAI XIN DRAGON, both of which shifted ground. MAGIC PHOENIX shifted in at the start and bumped BE READY. From a wide barrier, NICCONI COUNTY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, IGNITING failed to muster speed and then travelled wide and without cover throughout. Near the 1000 Metres, WIND N GRASS was steadied when crowded for room inside XPONENTIAL (L Hewitson) which, after shifting in of its own accord, was then taken in by STREET SCREAM (M Chadwick) which shifted in when racing close to the heels of SPECIAL M before being directed out to relieve the tightening to horses on its inside. Both L Hewitson and M Chadwick were advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 900 Metres, NICCONI COUNTY (C Y Ho) shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of IGNITING which resulted in IGNITING becoming unbalanced and shifting in. NICCONI COUNTY then shifted in abruptly which resulted in WIND N GRASS losing ground when crowded for room inside NICCONI COUNTY. As the Stewards were satisfied that C Y Ho had reacted to the shift of NICCONI COUNTY in a timely manner, no further action was taken. Passing the 900 Metres, MAGIC PHOENIX travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind FLYING BONUS. After this, MAGIC PHOENIX continued to travel keenly and near the 800 Metres shifted out away from the heels of FLYING BONUS. BE READY was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 250 Metres was shifted in away from the heels of MAGIC PHOENIX to obtain clear running. In the early part of the Straight, STREET SCREAM got its head on the side and lay in under pressure and approaching the 150 Metres shifted in towards the heels of SPECIAL M, resulting in STREET SCREAM becoming unbalanced. STREET SCREAM was then shifted to the outside of SPECIAL M and after the 100 Metres was hampered when taken in by IGNITING (M F Poon) which shifted in under pressure. When STREET SCREAM was taken in, SPECIAL M, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied away from the heels of that horse. M F Poon was reprimanded and told to ensure that he makes more effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Then close to the finishing line, IGNITING shifted in and bumped STREET SCREAM. Passing the 300 Metres, XPONENTIAL was steadied away from the heels of KAI XIN DRAGON after being disappointed for running inside that horse. When questioned, L Hewitson (XPONENTIAL) stated that in pre-race discussions with Mr D J Whyte, the trainer of XPONENTIAL, it was felt that due to a number of horses being engaged in the race which would normally take up forward positions, it was felt that if XPONENTIAL was ridden for speed, it would be required to race wide and likely without cover. He said he was therefore asked to steady XPONENTIAL on jumping and shift across to a position closer to the rail with a view to hopefully being able to improve his position inside runners which may allow XPONENTIAL the opportunity to race in advance of midfield. He said in accordance with his instructions he steadied XPONENTIAL on jumping and when shifting his mount across behind runners, XPONENTIAL did not pick up as well as he had hoped and therefore he was not able to obtain as forward a position as had been intended. He said this resulted in XPONENTIAL racing in a position behind midfield tonight. A veterinary inspection of MAGIC PHOENIX immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KAI XIN DRAGON immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, KAI XIN DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BE READY and WINE AND WINE were sent for sampling.