08/02/2023  Happy Valley  Race 7

BERLIN TANGO was crowded for room on jumping between NEARLY FINE which shifted out and THE IRISHMAN which shifted in. In this incident, BERLIN TANGO and NEARLY FINE made contact, resulting in NEARLY FINE becoming unbalanced. CHEERFUL DAYS jumped only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. BEAUTY LIVE shifted out at the start and made contact with FANTASTIC TREASURE which jumped awkwardly and shifted in slightly. After this, FANTASTIC TREASURE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Soon after the start, BEAUTY LIVE raced in restricted room between APACHE PASS and FANTASTIC TREASURE due to APACHE PASS shifting out and away from CHANCHENG PRINCE and FANTASTIC TREASURE shifting in slightly. In this incident, BEAUTY LIVE made contact with FANTASTIC TREASURE and was then shifted across behind runners. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, CHANCHENG PRINCE was awkwardly placed on the heels of EVERYONE’S DELIGHT (A Badel) which shifted in when not clear. A Badel was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. NEARLY FINE and BEAUTY LIVE made contact for some distance approaching the first turn when they contested a position one-off behind PACKING AWARD. Then near the 1100 Metres, BEAUTY LIVE and NEARLY FINE again made contact. Near the 600 Metres, CHEERFUL DAYS improved into a tight run to the inside of BERLIN TANGO when that runner was positioned tight to the inside of PACKING AWARD. A short distance later, CHEERFUL DAYS was checked when BERLIN TANGO was taken in slightly by PACKING AWARD and also bumped on the hindquarters by NEARLY FINE. The Stewards found that there was doubtful running when CHEERFUL DAYS improved to the inside of BERLIN TANGO and in the circumstances were satisfied that there was no carelessness displayed by the riders positioned to the outside of CHEERFUL DAYS. FANTASTIC TREASURE, which was following CHEERFUL DAYS, was checked to avoid the heels of that runner in consequence. Making the Home Turn, CHEERFUL DAYS was briefly held up on the heels of BERLIN TANGO. Passing the 300 Metres, NEARLY FINE improved into a narrow run between APACHE PASS and PACKING AWARD to obtain clear running. Then near the 200 Metres, PACKING AWARD raced in restricted room between BEAUTY LIVE and NEARLY FINE which continued to shift out. APACHE PASS raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PACKING AWARD, Z Purton stated that his mount enjoyed a comfortable run behind the leading division where it travelled well. He said when asked for an effort making the Home Turn, PACKING AWARD failed to respond to his riding and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of PACKING AWARD immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. The performance of PACKING AWARD was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PACKING AWARD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, K C Leung stated that BEAUTY LIVE, which was having its first race start tonight at Happy Valley, failed to handle the Happy Valley circuit, was never balanced and lay out throughout the event. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY LIVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BEAUTY LIVE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY LIVE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHANCHENG PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PACKING AWARD, THE IRISHMAN and SAVAQUIN were sent for sampling.