13/07/2022 - Happy Valley


Going:

Races 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9:

Turf - Good To Firm

Penetrometer Reading: 2.70

Racing Stewards:

Dr Eric Li Ka Cheung GBS OBE JP Chairman

The Hon Mr. Justice A T Barma JA

Mr K Kelly Chief Stipendiary Steward

Mr T Bailey Stipendiary Steward

Mr G Bush Stipendiary Steward

Mr K C Y Kwok Stipendiary Steward

Mr H L Liu Stipendiary Steward

Race:1 (817) LINK HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1000 m

U W BROTHER shifted out at the start and bumped GOLD GOLD BABY which lost ground. In this incident, U W BROTHER became unbalanced. After this, U W BROTHER was vigorously ridden along for a considerable distance to obtain a forward position and throughout the race travelled wide and without cover before giving ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of U W BROTHER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
From the outside barriers, EUROMISSILE and HARRIER JET were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
When being steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover, RAGING BLAZE was bumped by FARM BUMPER which shifted out.
SPLIT OF A SECOND was also steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail.
After travelling a short distance, WHISKEY NEAT shifted in and bumped SUNNY AND GOLD.
Passing the 700 Metres, EUROMISSILE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GOLD GOLD BABY.
Making the turn after the 600 Metres, HARRIER JET lay in and brushed the running rail.
Near the 450 Metres, SUNNY AND GOLD shifted out and brushed CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN.
HARRIER JET lost its right hind plate approaching the 400 Metres.
RAGING BLAZE was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY AND GOLD rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight was checked away from behind both SUNNY AND GOLD and CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN.
Near the 200 Metres, RAGING BLAZE was steadied away from the heels of U W BROTHER as that horse commenced to give ground.
Over the concluding stages, CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN raced tight outside SUNNY AND GOLD.
Close to the finishing line, HARRIER JET was steadied away from the heels of DAY DAY RICH when held up for clear running behind that horse.
Passing the winning post, RAGING BLAZE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CARRY THE DIAMOND (L Ferraris) which shifted out under pressure. L Ferraris was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts.
A veterinary inspection of WHISKEY NEAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SUNNY AND GOLD, CARRY THE DIAMOND and SPLIT OF A SECOND were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (818) VENTRIS HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 2200 m

JOLLY FOREVER was withdrawn on 12.7.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left hind hoof injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TURF BRILLIANT (M Chadwick). Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY FOREVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
VICTORIOUS SEEKER shifted out on jumping and bumped DIAMOND STAR.
GREAT TIMES began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of WEALTHY EMPLOYEE which became unbalanced. After this, GREAT TIMES was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
TURF BRILLIANT was steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail.
Near the 2000 Metres, DIAMOND STAR was steadied away from the heels of VICTORIOUS SEEKER and in doing so shifted out and brushed SKY GEM.
GO BALLISTIC travelled wide and without cover until approaching the winning post on the first occasion.
In the early part of the Straight, CIRCUIT ELITE lay in under pressure.
For some distance from passing the 200 Metres until passing the 50 Metres, CIRCUIT ELITE and TURF BRILLIANT raced tight and brushed on a number of occasions.
A veterinary inspection of TURF BRILLIANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
AMAZING BOY and VICTORIOUS SEEKER were sent for sampling.

Race:3 (819) BROADWOOD HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1000 m

KOWLOON EAST STAR, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 12.7.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (head wound). Before being allowed to race again, KOWLOON EAST STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
UNITED WE STAND began awkwardly and lost ground when crowded for room between CIRCUIT SEVEN and GLORIFIED FIRE which shifted out.
AMAZING INNOVATOR and HAPPY FOREVER bumped at the start. HAPPY FOREVER then got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in AMAZING INNOVATOR being inconvenienced. Then from a wide barrier, AMAZING INNOVATOR was shifted across behind runners.
EASY LIFE began only fairly.
Passing the 900 Metres, FABULOUS EIGHT raced tight inside the heels of HAPPY FOREVER which continued to lay in despite the efforts of its rider.
Near the 850 Metres, YELLOWFIN raced tight inside NEXTMODEL which got its head on the side and lay in.
Throughout the race, HAPPY FOREVER travelled wide and without cover whilst FABULOUS EIGHT was left racing wide and without cover passing the 600 Metres.
Making the turn near the 550 Metres, AMAZING INNOVATOR was crowded for room between WINS ALL and UNITED WE STAND which got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of VAMOS. Then approaching and passing the 500 Metres, AMAZING INNOVATOR raced tight inside WINS ALL.
Passing the 200 Metres, NEXTMODEL got its head on the side and lay in and was reluctant to improve into tight running between CIRCUIT SEVEN and SERGEANT PEPPER.
UNITED WE STAND lost its right front plate after the race.
A veterinary inspection of NEXTMODEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
YELLOWFIN, FABULOUS EIGHT and VAMOS were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (820) SUNG TAK HANDICAP (Sec2) Class 4 1200 m

HAPPILY FRIENDS was slow to begin.
SUGAR SUGAR began very awkwardly and lost ground.
DRAGON KINGDOM and BLISSFUL LIFE bumped heavily at the start which resulted in BLISSFUL LIFE losing ground and DRAGON KINGDOM shifting out after becoming unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by BLISSFUL LIFE. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON KINGDOM immediately following the race found that horse to have been galloped on the right hind leg.
Shortly after the start, AUGUST MOON shifted out and bumped BINGO BINGO.
From the outside barrier, OVERSUBSCRIBED was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
DRAGON KINGDOM travelled wide and without cover until passing the 700 Metres at which time TOUCH FAITH was left racing wide and without cover.
Approaching the 450 Metres, HAPPILY FRIENDS lost ground when checked away from the heels of AUGUST MOON which became unbalanced after bumping BINGO BINGO when very awkwardly placed behind PLEASANT ENDEAVOR which itself raced close to the heels of DRAGON KINGDOM.
Also approaching the 450 Metres, AMBITIOUS HEART was taken wider by SUGAR SUGAR which shifted out.
TRIPLE TRIPLE was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn.
After the 250 Metres, AUGUST MOON was bumped by TRIPLE TRIPLE as both horses attempted to improve between DRAGON KINGDOM and TAKE WHAT YOU NEED. When TRIPLE TRIPLE was unable to improve between AUGUST MOON and TAKE WHAT YOU NEED, TRIPLE TRIPLE was held up for clear running for some distance when racing very close to the heels of TAKE WHAT YOU NEED. This also resulted in AUGUST MOON and TRIPLE TRIPLE racing tight for some distance. Then as TRIPLE TRIPLE improved to be racing in restricted room inside TAKE WHAT YOU NEED, AUGUST MOON was inconvenienced when racing tight inside TRIPLE TRIPLE which continued to be very awkwardly placed inside the heels of TAKE WHAT YOU NEED (L Hewitson) which then shifted in under pressure over the concluding stages. L Hewitson was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident in that TRIPLE TRIPLE was having difficulty obtaining clear running to the inside of TAKE WHAT YOU NEED, nonetheless he must be aware of his mounts shifting ground and make every endeavour to keep them on a straight course in similar circumstances. Because of these incidents, TRIPLE TRIPLE was not able to be properly tested and AUGUST MOON was not able to be ridden out over the concluding stages as a result of being steadied away from the heels of TRIPLE TRIPLE.
Approaching the 150 Metres, BINGO BINGO and TOUCH FAITH bumped.
After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on BINGO BINGO at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination found the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported.
TRIPLE TRIPLE, SUGAR SUGAR and TOUCH FAITH were sent for sampling.

Race:5 (821) HAU TAK HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

TELECOM CHEETAH, which was fractious when being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse had sustained a large wound to the base of the tail and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, TELECOM CHEETAH was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM CHEETAH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
UNITED ENDEAVORS lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected, shifted in and inconvenienced NOWITZKI which was then awkwardly placed outside the heels of ROYAL CAMPBELL a short distance after the start.
NOBLE STEED began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
MARADO shifted in at the start and bumped BLISSFUL STAR. After this, from the outside barriers, BLISSFUL STAR and MARADO were shifted across behind runners.
After being slow to begin, JOLLY HONOUR was aggressively ridden in the early stages in an attempt to improve inside KYRUS UNICORN which approaching the winning post on the first occasion got its head on the side and lay in away from NOWITZKI. This resulted in JOLLY HONOUR being steadied away from the heels of KYRUS UNICORN passing the winning post on the first occasion.
Approaching and passing the 900 Metres, GO FOR TEA travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind ROYAL CAMPBELL.
NOBLE STEED was held up for clear running behind NOWITZKI approaching and passing the 400 Metres.
Rounding the Home Turn, J Moreira (AMIGOS GIGGLE) momentarily dropped his right rein.
After the race, M F Poon said that MARADO came under heavy pressure along the Back Straight and then despite being vigorously ridden along did not respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of MARADO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of NOWITZKI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
UNITED ENDEAVORS and AMIGOS GIGGLE were sent for sampling.

Race:6 (822) SUNG TAK HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

GALLANT WAKING was crowded for room on jumping between TIMESTORM and DURHAM STAR which shifted in.
PERFECT PEACH began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Also from a wide barrier, SHADOW RUNNER was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.
Near the 1050 Metres, SMART LEADER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of REGENCY STAR which was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. SMART LEADER then got its head on the side and after the 1000 Metres shifted out and became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of WIND SPEEDER. SMART LEADER then made the turn near the 550 Metres awkwardly.
Near the 800 Metres, REGENCY STAR was left racing wide and without cover.
In the early part of the Straight, GALLANT WAKING got its head on the side and lay in under pressure.
Passing the 250 Metres, DURHAM STAR raced tight inside REGENCY STAR.
After the race, K Teetan reported that ARES travelled well until entering the Home Straight at which time the horse came under pressure after being bumped by GALLANT WAKING. He said ARES then gave ground noticeably over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of ARES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of WIND SPEEDER and TIMESTORM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
DURHAM STAR, HERO STAR and WOOD ON FIRE were sent for sampling.
<14/7/2022 Additional Veterinary Reports>TIMESTORM, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. TIMESTORM was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D J Hall this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, TIMESTORM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:7 (823) OI KWAN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1800 m

SUPER BUDDY shifted out at the start and bumped SUPER OASIS. After this, SUPER BUDDY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Then passing the 1300 Metres, SUPER BUDDY was left racing wide and without cover.
NEARLY FINE was also steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners.
SURREALISM shifted in shortly after the start and bumped PEGASUS GENERAL.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, COMET SPLENDIDO raced tight inside the heels of E LEGEND.
After the 900 Metres, LOOKING GREAT commenced to travel keenly and for some distance approaching the 700 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER OASIS. SURREALISM, which was following LOOKING GREAT, was steadied away from behind that horse passing the 800 Metres in consequence.
Approaching the turn after the 600 Metres, NEARLY FINE got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of WIN WIN FIGHTER.
Passing the 400 Metres, COMET SPLENDIDO raced close to the heels of E LEGEND when attempting to improve between that horse and NORDIC SKY which was giving ground. A veterinary inspection of NORDIC SKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of NORDIC SKY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NORDIC SKY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
Passing the 200 Metres, NEARLY FINE and SURREALISM brushed. NEARLY FINE then raced tight inside SURREALISM for some distance after the 150 Metres as SURREALISM shifted in under pressure.
After the race, M F Poon stated that the only explanation he could find for WIN WIN FIGHTER’s disappointing effort tonight was that the horse did not seem to appreciate racing amongst runners. He said he did note that at its only win WIN WIN FIGHTER raced outside runners and the horse then closed off the race strongly. He said in tonight’s race he had to niggle at WIN WIN FIGHTER in the middle stages to maintain its position behind COMET SPLENDIDO and after coming under heavy pressure prior to the 600 Metres the horse then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of WIN WIN FIGHTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of SURREALISM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
E LEGEND, SUPER OASIS and COMET SPLENDIDO were sent for sampling.

Race:8 (824) SPORTS ROAD HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

MODEST GENTLEMAN and STORMTROUPER bumped at the start.
OUR LUCKY GLORY shifted out on jumping and bumped YO BEAUTY which in turn shifted out and bumped MERIDIAN GENIUS. After this, OUR LUCKY GLORY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of STORMTROUPER which shifted out.
From a wide barrier, EXUBERANT was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
R Maia (STORMTROUPER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of MODEST GENTLEMAN, resulting in that horse being crowded for room and being checked as a result of losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. R Maia was suspended from riding in races for the first 3 racemeetings of the 2022/2023 season, the dates of which are yet to be confirmed. In addition, Jockey Maia was fined $30,000.
Approaching the 900 Metres, MODEST GENTLEMAN commenced to travel keenly and became unbalanced when awkwardly placed behind STORMTROUPER.
After the 800 Metres, both GOODLUCK GOODLUCK and YOUNG LIFE FOREVER were left racing wide and without cover.
Approaching the 150 Metres, YOUNG LIFE FOREVER was crowded for room between EXUBERANT and MODEST GENTLEMAN which was bumped by OUR LUCKY GLORY (L Hewitson) which shifted to the outside of GOODLUCK GOODLUCK to obtain clear running. L Hewitson was reprimanded and told to exercise more care in future when shifting ground than he did on this occasion.
When questioned, R Maia stated that rounding the Home Turn STORMTROUPER was travelling strongly. He said after following TRADER in the middle stages, that horse came under heavy pressure passing the 400 Metres. He said as he directed STORMTROUPER to the inside of TRADER at the entrance to the Straight, TRADER stopped abruptly in front of STORMTROUPER which resulted in STORMTROUPER clipping the heels of TRADER and stumbling badly and which caused STORMTROUPER to lose a significant amount of ground. He said due to this incident and the amount of ground lost he did not persist in riding STORMTROUPER out over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of STORMTROUPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
YO BEAUTY, OUR LUCKY GLORY and EXCELLENT PEERS were sent for sampling.

Race:9 (825) WONG NAI CHUNG HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1650 m

EVERYONE’S DELIGHT shifted out at the start and bumped SUNNY STAR which was crowded for room inside MY ECSTATIC which began awkwardly.
From the outside barriers, GORYTUS, PRIME MINISTER and SAVAQUIN were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
MALDIVES was also steadied on jumping to obtain a position closer to the rail.
Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, PRIME MINISTER was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of MALDIVES.
Near the 1300 Metres, MY ECSTATIC (C Y Ho) was left racing wide and without cover until near the 850 Metres. After the race, C Y Ho stated that MY ECSTATIC travelled too keenly in the middle stages and because of this was not able to finish the race off in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of MY ECSTATIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
At the 500 Metres, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT was steadied after attempting to improve between PACKING AWARD (M F Poon) which, after shifting out marginally, then shifted out further to the outside of MY ECSTATIC and GORYTUS which became unbalanced after being bumped by EVERYONE’S DELIGHT and shifted in marginally. M F Poon was reprimanded and told to ensure that he exercises more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After this, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT (A Badel) commenced to lay out and near the 400 Metres shifted out despite the efforts of its rider away from BERLIN TANGO which resulted in SUNNY STAR being checked when crowded for room inside SAVAQUIN. EVERYONE’S DELIGHT then continued to lay out and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, A Badel stated that EVERYONE’S DELIGHT did not feel comfortable in its action when giving ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of EVERYONE’S DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
At the entrance to the Straight, MALDIVES was shifted in away from the heels of HINCHINLOVE.
Passing the 300 Metres, SIGHT SPIRIT got its head on the side and lay in and bumped HINCHINLOVE.
Passing the 150 Metres, K Teetan (TELECOM FIGHTERS) momentarily dropped his right rein.
A veterinary inspection of GORYTUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of SIGHT SPIRIT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea.
PACKING AWARD and BERLIN TANGO were sent for sampling.

General

1.

Trainer W Y So was fined the sum of $5,000 following THREE TWO CHARLIE (E410) incorrectly carrying the saddle cloth assigned to MASTER TORNADO (G410) on the Small All Weather Track during track work on the morning of 11 July 2022.

2. 10 July 2022 Sha Tin Racemeeting – Race 8 (814)

The Stewards this evening interviewed Mr W Y So, trainer of TEAM SPIRIT, regarding that horse’s racing future given that it tailed out in this race and that this was the fourth occasion since 16 May 2021. The Stewards also heard from Dr B S Forbes, Head of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy. Mr So was advised that given TEAM SPIRIT’s history of tailing out in races, that horse would have to undergo a series of not less than three consecutive satisfactory barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being permitted to race again. He was also told that prior to being approved to participate in those barrier trials, TEAM SPIRIT would be subjected to a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and that the approval of Dr Forbes, in consultation with Mr So’s Clinical Veterinary Surgeon, would be required before the horse would be entered for its required barrier trials.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of G ONE EXCELLENT, M M JOHNNY, THETA HEDGE, E BROTHER, SUPER SUNNY SING, REGENT GLORY, SIGHT SPIRIT, BOURBONAIRE, MONEY CATCHER, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE, SEA MONARCH, BRAVE POWER, SPARKLING DOLPHIN, FORTE, NICHOLSON RETURNS, PEAK TO PEAK, WIN WIN, NERVOUS WITNESS, DUKE WAI, WINNING DREAMER, BEAUTY TYCOON, ROYAL AGILITY, SMART FOLKS, TUCHEL, LEADING FORTUNE, MR ASCENDENCY, SAKEWIN, POWER KOEPP and MIDORI BEAUTY (1.7.22) proved negative.

Summary

1. Withdrawals

Race 2: JOLLY FOREVER on 12.7.22 on veterinary advice.

Race 3: KOWLOON EAST STAR (standby runner) on 12.7.22 on veterinary advice.

Race 5: TELECOM CHEETAH prior to Race 1 on veterinary advice.

2. Fines

Race 8: R Maia (STORMTROUPER): $30,000 for careless riding approaching the 1000 Metres.

General: Trainer W Y So (THREE TWO CHARLIE): 5,000 for the horse carrying the wrong saddle cloth on the Small All Weather Track during track work.

3. Reprimands

Race 8: L Hewitson (OUR LUCKY GLORY) for shifting out approaching the 150 Metres.

Race 9: M F Poon (PACKING AWARD) for shifting out at the 500 Metres.

4. Warnings

Race 1: L Ferraris (CARRY THE DIAMOND) for shifting out passing the winning post.

Race 4: L Hewitson (TAKE WHAT YOU NEED) for shifting in over the concluding stages.

5. Suspension

Race 8: R Maia (STORMTROUPER) for careless riding approaching the 1000 Metres (for the first 3 racemeetings of the 2022/2023 season).

6. Barrier Trials

Race 7: NORDIC SKY

General: TEAM SPIRIT

7. Official Veterinary Examinations

Race 2: JOLLY FOREVER

Race 3: KOWLOON EAST STAR

Race 5: TELECOM CHEETAH

Race 7: NORDIC SKY

Race 9: EVERYONE’S DELIGHT

General: TEAM SPIRIT

8. Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement

Turf B Course

9. Rolling Arrangement

The track was rolled after race 5.