22/02/2023  Happy Valley  Race 5

After being loaded into the barriers, VIVA POPCORN reared and got its right front leg over the barrier partition for a considerable period and in this incident made contact with the neck region of BABY which was in the adjourning stall. VIVA POPCORN was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, VIVA POPCORN was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. BABY was also examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, VIVA POPCORN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. V CHEVALIERS jumped only fairly and then was crowded by PACKING SUCCEEDER which shifted out. ODE TO JOY jumped awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, COPARTNER FIONN was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. When being crossed by BABY in the early stages, COPARTNER FIONN was inclined to race keenly and was steadied away from that runner. When caught wide in the early stages, HA LEE CHARM was allowed to stride forward and take a position outside the lead near the 800 Metres. Approaching the 1400 Metres, RIGHT HONOURABLE was also inclined to race keenly when being steadied to obtain cover. Near the 1300 Metres, LEAN HERO was momentarily crowded for room inside HA LEE CHARM which shifted in slightly. When questioned, K C Leung (BABY) explained that he was given specific instructions to ride the horse conservatively in the early stages as when ridden forward at its most recent starts BABY had failed to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of ODE TO JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PACKING SUCCEEDER and RIVER VIEWS were sent for sampling.