09/11/2022  Happy Valley  Race 1

CHIRON was withdrawn on 7.11.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MOONLUCK. Before being allowed to race again, CHIRON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded into the barriers, QUORUM became very fractious and got its head down for a considerable period whilst repeatedly kicking out. QUORUM then took some time to be removed from the barriers. After being removed from the barriers, QUORUM was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had sustained wounds to the right front and right hind legs and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, QUORUM was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, QUORUM will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LEISURE AND GOLD shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MEDIC ELITE. As the start was effected, MOONLUCK put its head down and consequently was slow to begin. From the outside barriers, APEX TOP and GIVE WAY PLEASE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, DAILY BEAUTY raced tight between RUN RUN GOOD and FORTUNE MASTER which, after initially being directed in by FAITHFUL TRINITY, then shifted in away from that horse. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, LEISURE AND GOLD momentarily raced in restricted room between DAILY BEAUTY and MISTER ARM which shifted in before being corrected. Near the 850 Metres, GIVE WAY PLEASE was shifted out to commence improving and after this travelled wide and without cover. In the Straight, FORTUNE MASTER lay in under pressure. MISTER ARM also lay in over about the final 150 Metres. When questioned, A Badel stated that it was felt that tonight’s race did not contain a lot of early speed and therefore he was asked to ride MEDIC ELITE positively in the early stages and attempt to obtain a forward position with cover behind the leaders. He said it was anticipated that FAITHFUL TRINITY and perhaps MISTER ARM would lead the race which may provide MEDIC ELITE with the opportunity to obtain a trailing position. He said approaching the winning post on the first occasion it became apparent to him that he would not be able to obtain a position behind FAITHFUL TRINITY which was racing to the outside of FORTUNE MASTER and therefore, after beginning well and then showing early speed, he allowed his mount to continue forward to race outside the lead near the 1200 Metres. Mr P C Ng, trainer of MEDIC ELITE, stated that in its previous races when trained by him, he had asked for MEDIC ELITE to be ridden in a forward position, however, the horse had not shown enough early speed to be able to do so. He said tonight’s instructions provided to Jockey Badel were consistent with the instructions he had previously provided to riders of the horse. LONDON LUCKYSTAR and MEDIC ELITE were sent for sampling.