03/05/2023  Happy Valley  Race 5

A Badel (INCANTO PREPARED) was fined $3,000 for weighing out without irons which necessitated him having to re-weigh. REGENCY MASTER jumped awkwardly. FORTUNE PRESIDENT jumped only fairly. BIG TWO was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was bumped by HELENE WISDOM STAR which, after shifting out and making contact with TRAVEL GUIDE, then shifted in and crowded BIG TWO. In this incident, TRAVEL GUIDE became badly unbalanced and lost ground. In the middle stages, DINKUM was inclined to race keenly and lay in for a short distance near the 1000 Metres. Making the Home Turn, FEARLESS FIRE lay out and, despite the efforts of its rider, shifted out to a three wide position. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of H Bowman (JUNE PLANET), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ensure that he fully rides his mounts out to the finish of the race. When questioned regarding MILLENNIUM FALCON leading tonight’s event, C L Chau reported that from his wide barrier he was given the option of taking up a more forward position as MILLENNIUM FALCON had lost concentration at its most recent starts. He said he allowed his mount to stride forward in accordance with his instructions and when positioned to the outside of SPLENDID LIVING, MILLENNIUM FALCON was inclined to lay out and raced keenly. He added that as a result he allowed MILLENNIUM FALCON to stride forward and obtain the lead where his mount settled better in that position. When questioned regarding the improved performance of FORTUNE PRESIDENT, Trainer Y S Tsui stated that at its second last start on 29 March 2023, FORTUNE PRESIDENT was not suited by racing on the wet track conditions. He said at its last start on 23 April 2023, FORTUNE PRESIDENT had raced inside other runners and in the early part of the Straight had some difficulty obtaining clear running, but in the circumstances he was satisfied with the finishing effort of FORTUNE PRESIDENT. After the race, Z Purton (HELENE WISDOM STAR) reported that, in his opinion, his mount was unsuited by settling back in the field due to the racing pattern of tonight’s racemeeting. A veterinary inspection of HELENE WISDOM STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HELENE WISDOM STAR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HELENE WISDOM STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on MILLENNIUM FALCON at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of DINKUM immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DINKUM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BIG TWO and TRAVEL GUIDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FORTUNE PRESIDENT and SPLENDID LIVING were sent for sampling.