21/12/2022  Happy Valley  Race 5

CHICKEN DANCE, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 19.12.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, CHICKEN DANCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SIX BEST FRIENDS was slow to begin. On jumping, CIRCUIT SEVEN was badly crowded for room after being bumped heavily by ONE FOR ALL which shifted out abruptly after jumping awkwardly, resulting in CIRCUIT SEVEN shifting out and making heavy contact with FARIBAULT. This in turn resulted in HAPPY GOLF being crowded for room between FARIBAULT and MIGHTY VALOR which was taken in marginally by MOMENTUM GALAXY. ACE TALENT travelled wide and without cover from the 600 Metres. Near the 400 Metres, STARRY NIGHT was steadied away from the heels of JUNEAU FLASH. Also near the 400 Metres, HAPPY GOLF was restrained off the heels of MOMENTUM GALAXY. Rounding the Home Turn, MIGHTY VALOR lay out and then on straightening lay in across the heels of MODEST GENTLEMAN. Also rounding the Home Turn, MOMENTUM GALAXY was steadied and shifted out across the heels of MIGHTY VALOR to obtain clear running. Near the 250 Metres, MOMENTUM GALAXY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MIGHTY VALOR and as a result was inconvenienced when MIGHT VALOR shifted out slightly. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on MODEST GENTLEMAN tonight, M L Yeung explained that his instructions, from the outside barrier, were to try and establish a position midfield or worse with cover. He said however MODEST GENTLEMAN jumped very well and he was reluctant to stop his mount’s momentum when it appeared apparent that a position with cover was not available to him. He said he made the decision near the 700 Metres to continue to go forward and ultimately take up the lead as, in his view, the runners to his inside were not showing the necessary speed for a 1000 Metre race. FARIBAULT and JUNEAU FLASH were sent for sampling.