12/06/2022  Shatin  Race 3

SMART LEADER shifted out at the start, resulting in SNOWALOT being crowded for room inside GOLD GOLD BABY which became unbalanced after being bumped by SNOWALOT. BIG HAPPINESS shifted in on jumping and brushed SPARTAN MISSILE. After this, SPARTAN MISSILE was steadied to obtain cover. BUNGLE OF CHARM began only fairly and then after being ridden along for a short distance in the early stages travelled keenly. When being steadied to obtain cover near the 1100 Metres, BUNDLE OF CHARM shifted in and was checked away from the heels of BIG HAPPINESS. From the outside barrier, WAR OF COURAGE was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1000 Metres, SWEET DIAMOND raced tight outside the heels of ONE FOR ALL. GLENEALY GENERALS was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, GOLD GOLD BABY, which was giving ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of MIRACLE VICTORY which, when shifting to the outside of ONE FOR ALL, was taken out by that horse. Passing the 200 Metres, SNOWALOT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ONE FOR ALL after being disappointed for running between that horse and MIRACLE VICTORY which, after shifting in marginally, then shifted in further after becoming unbalanced as a result of being bumped on the hindquarters by SNOWALOT. SNOWALOT was then shifted out away from the heels of ONE FOR ALL passing the 100 Metres to continue improving. When SNOWALOT was shifted away from the heels of ONE FOR ALL, MIRACLE VICTORY was inconvenienced. Throughout the race, BIG HAPPINESS travelled very wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of BIG HAPPINESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BIG HAPPINESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BIG HAPPINESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also throughout the race, GOLD GOLD BABY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C L Chau stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position on MIRACLE VICTORY and if the horse began well, to lead the race. He said however that he was told that if MIRACLE VICTORY did not show sufficient speed to be able to lead the race, he should ensure that he obtained cover on the horse. He said after being loaded into the barriers MIRACLE VICTORY became fractious and then on jumping began only fairly. He said he had to straighten his mount shortly after the start as a result of MIRACLE VICTORY shifting in and bumping GLENEALY GENERALS. He said when he did this he formed the view that he would have had to make a lot of use of MIRACLE VICTORY to obtain a forward position given that GOLD GOLD BABY and BIG HAPPINESS were being ridden along to obtain forward positions. He said as a position behind GOLD GOLD BABY was available, he elected to steady his mount and shift across behind that horse and obtain cover in advance of midfield. He said when being steadied to obtain cover, MIRACLE VICTORY got its head up passing the 1100 Metres and again after the 900 Metres. He added that MIRACLE VICTORY quickened satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight, however, its run ended over the concluding stages and finished the race off only fairly. A veterinary inspection of MIRACLE VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WAR OF COURAGE and GOLD GOLD BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BUNDLE OF CHARM, SWEET DIAMOND and SPARTAN MISSILE were sent for sampling.