22/02/2023  Happy Valley  Race 9

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that TIGER LEGEND had blood at its mouth. TIGER LEGEND was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. TIGER LEGEND jumped only fairly. On jumping, BEAUTY CHARGE was crowded by MARK THE MOMENT which shifted out. RED DESERT jumped only fairly and soon after the start was placed in restricted room between STAR BRITE and ADIOS which shifted out. RED DESERT was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages and was inclined to race keenly. From a wide barrier, SUGAR SUGAR was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. ADIOS over-raced in the early stages and ran wide making the first turn. BEAUTY CHARGE raced keenly in the middle stages and was held up making the Home Turn and on straightening became awkwardly placed behind GOLDEN LINK. Approaching the 250 Metres, BEAUTY CHARGE then became held up behind MARK THE MOMENT before shifting to the inside of MARK THE MOMENT near the 200 Metres to secure clear running and in doing so made contact with SUGAR SUGAR which was also endeavouring to obtain clear running. As a result, SUGAR SUGAR became unbalanced and was shifted to the inside of COMPASSION SPIRIT where it secured clear running near the 150 Metres. In this incident, TIGER LEGEND, which was positioned to the inside of SUGAR SUGAR, was momentarily crowded. Near the 250 Metres, STORMTROUPER was briefly held up behind THE RUNNER before shifting to THE RUNNER’s outside approaching the 200 Metres to secure clear running. Near the 125 Metres, when BEAUTY CHARGE was improving to the inside of MARK THE MOMENT, it shifted out slightly and bumped MARK THE MOMENT which became slightly unbalanced. When improving to the inside of COMPASSION SPIRIT near the 100 Metres, SUGAR SUGAR was struck across the nose by the whip of M L Yeung, the rider of COMPASSION SPIRIT. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance NORDIC DRAGON, C Y Ho reported that he had expected to take up a position in or outside the lead tonight. He said whilst NORDIC DRAGON jumped well, it did not show sufficient speed in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and as a consequence was obliged to race wide in the early stages. He added that along the Back Straight he endeavoured to ride his mount forward to cross MARK THE MOMENT, however, when that runner was travelling strongly, NORDIC DRAGON did not show sufficient pace to cross MARK THE MOMENT and as a result was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He stated that, in his opinion, the wide run endured by NORDIC DAGON was the reason for its disappointing performance tonight. A veterinary inspection of NORDIC DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TIGER LEGEND, Z Purton stated that he was able to settle the horse in a forward position in the early stages. He said passing the 800 Metres TIGER LEGEND did not appear comfortable racing around the Happy Valley circuit when it changed stride and from this point on did not respond to his riding and he attributed tonight’s performance to the horse not appreciating the Happy Valley track. A veterinary inspection of TIGER LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TIGER LEGEND was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TIGER LEGEND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NORDIC DRAGON, BEAUTY CHARGE and SUGAR SUGAR were sent for sampling.