08/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 3

HELENE WISDOM STAR shifted out at the start, resulting in FEARLESS FIRE being taken out onto BIG TWO and BIG TWO then making contact with PRESIDENT’S CHOICE. PROUD DRAGON was crowded soon after the start by WIND N GRASS which shifted in. From the outside barrier, YOUNG VICTORY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From wide barriers, PASSING FASHION and PERFECT ROCK were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. THETA HEDGE raced wide and without cover in the early stages before being allowed to stride forward to obtain a position outside the lead approaching the 1000 Metres. SAMARKAND was left racing wide and without cover between the 1000 Metres and the 600 Metres. Near the 600 Metres, PROUD DRAGON lay in and away from PRESIDENT’S CHOICE, resulting in PERFECT ROCK being steadied when crowded by PROUD DRAGON. Passing the 600 Metres, EIGHTEEN PALMS was awkwardly placed close to SAMARKAND, shifted in and as a result bumped HELENE WISDOM STAR. After the 150 Metres, PERFECT ROCK was inclined to lay out under pressure, resulting in its rider, M L Yeung, having to stop riding and straighten. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there was sufficient grounds for a protest/objection by EIGHTEEN PALMS, 3rd placegetter, against HELENE WISDOM STAR, 2nd placegetter, due to the two horses making contact near the 125 Metres. It was established that near the 125 Metres, HELENE WISDOM STAR shifted to the outside of THETA HEDGE to obtain clear running and in doing so brushed EIGHTEEN PALMS. It was further established that over the concluding stages, HELENE WISDOM STAR raced tight to the inside of EIGHTEEN PALMS which shifted in slightly, resulting in HELENE WISDOM STAR having to be corrected by its rider, C Y Ho, to prevent it from shifting in and crowding THETA HEDGE. When the Stewards were satisfied that there was not sufficient grounds for a protest/objection and that HELENE WISDOM STAR had raced tight to the inside of EIGHTEEN PALMS over the concluding stages, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. After the race, K Teetan (PROUD DRAGON) reported that his mount hung in, particularly when placed under pressure in the Straight and could offer no additional explanation for the disappointing performance of the horse. A veterinary inspection of PROUD DRAGON immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea and also found the horse to be lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, PROUD DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, L Hewitson (BIG TWO) stated that his intention was to obtain cover from an inside barrier. He said BIG TWO jumped well tonight and when the pace of the event in the early stages was not quick, the horse was able to lead. He added that, in his opinion, BIG TWO would be better suited if able to be ridden with cover. A veterinary inspection of SAMARKAND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EIGHTEEN PALMS, YOUNG VICTORY and HELENE WISDOM STAR were sent for sampling.