Race:1 (470) LOCKHART HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1800 m

LUCKY COIN was slow to begin.
DRAGON WARRIOR began only fairly.
SWEET BEAN began only fairly and shortly after the start was awkwardly placed outside the heels of BONITO which shifted out.
From the outside barrier, CELEBRATION was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
Passing the 1200 Metres, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was awkwardly placed behind JOLLY AMBER.
Near the 650 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR was steadied away from the heels of LITTLE FANTASY which got its head on the side and shifted in as ENJOYABLE SUCCESS improved to its outside. MI BLANCO, which was following LITTLE FANTASY, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence.
Making the turn approaching the 550 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR momentarily raced in restricted room between BONITO and LITTLE FANTASY which continued to lay in. When being directed out to relieve the tightening to DRAGON WARRIOR, LITTLE FANTASY shifted out and bumped MI BLANCO. MI BLANCO and LITTLE FANTASY then raced tight outside DRAGON WARRIOR near the 500 Metres as that horse improved to the outside of AMAZING GOLD.
Passing the 300 Metres, BONITO was shifted to the inside of AMAZING GOLD after being disappointed for running between that horse and DRAGON WARRIOR.
Close to the finishing line, AMAZING GOLD raced tight inside MONEY WINNER.
A veterinary inspection of SWEET BEAN and JOLLY AMBER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
DRAGON WARRIOR and ENJOYABLE SUCCESS were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (471) JOHNSTON HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

BRAVE COMMAND began only fairly.
HERO TIME was crowded for room on jumping between SUPER EURO STAR and SUPER LUCKY which shifted out.
FORTUNE BUDDY and MY FAMILY bumped at the start.
From a wide barrier, BACK IN BLACK was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
MY FAMILY made the turn near the 1000 Metres awkwardly.
Passing the 600 Metres, LUNAR ZEPHYR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HERO TIME (M Chadwick) which, when being ridden along, got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of SUPER EURO STAR. As this occurred, SUPER EURO STAR made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in HERO TIME, which was racing close to the heels of SUPER EURO STAR, shifting out in consequence and making significant contact with ALL BEST FRIENDS which caused HERO TIME to stumble and ALL BEST FRIENDS to become badly unbalanced. In this incident, LUNAR ZEPHYR, which was following HERO TIME, was inconvenienced. M Chadwick was advised that whilst in the opinion of the Stewards SUPER EURO STAR’s movement outwards had played a significant part in this incident, nonetheless he should have made more endeavour than he did to prevent his mount from shifting in and crowding the room of LUNAR ZEPHYR. M Chadwick was therefore severely reprimanded and advised to take appropriate measures to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. S de Sousa stated that after becoming badly unbalanced as a result of the significant contact from HERO TIME, ALL BEST FRIENDS, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, lost its action and as he was concerned regarding the horse’s welfare, he eased it down given the severity of the incident passing the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of ALL BEST FRIENDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
LUNAR ZEPHYR lost its left front plate near the 550 Metres.
Near the 450 Metres, LUNAR ZEPHYR raced tight outside BRAVE COMMAND which got its head on the side and lay out.
Approaching the 400 Metres, SUPER LUCKY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of HERO TIME.
When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he was asked to ride HERO TIME in a handy position which he interpreted to be behind the leaders. He said after riding his mount along for some distance in the early stages to take up a forward position, HERO TIME was left racing wide and without cover for the majority of the race as he was not able to shift in behind another runner to obtain cover. Mr R Gibson, the trainer of HERO TIME, stated that four starts ago HERO TIME was found to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm after the race. He said at its subsequent start HERO TIME got back in the field and did not race competitively. He said at its last start the horse was drawn wide and therefore the decision was made to shift it across behind runners to obtain cover rather than ride it aggressively to obtain a forward position. He said in tonight’s race HERO TIME had drawn better and he felt that there was an opportunity for the horse to be able to obtain a more forward position than had recently been the case. Mr Gibson was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was reminded of the requirement of having horses ridden in a consistent manner where appropriate circumstances exist. A veterinary inspection of HERO TIME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of HERO TIME, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Having regard that this was the second occasion in the horse’s last three runs where it had performed unsatisfactorily, the Stewards ruled that HERO TIME must perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.
After the race, it was noted that SHARPMIND had blood at its left nostril. The Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination conducted on SHARPMIND confirmed that horse to be a bleeder.
VERY RICH MAN and DOLLAR REWARD were sent for sampling.

Race:3 (472) JOHNSTON HANDICAP (Sec2) Class 4 1200 m

CALIFORNIA LEGEND was slow to begin.
GIFT OF LIFELINE began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped JOLLY BOUNTIFUL.
YOUNG EMPIRE began awkwardly.
THE CREATETH and FLYING MONKEY bumped at the start. After this, THE CREATETH was steadied and shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier.
From a wide barrier, LE TERROIR was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
FLYING MONKEY lay out making the turn after the 1000 Metres.
Making the turn after the 600 Metres, CALIFORNIA LEGEND was crowded for room inside THE CREATETH which got its head on the side and lay in.
Making the turn near the 500 Metres, FLYING MONKEY got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of YOUNG EMPIRE, resulting in FLYING MONKEY striking the heels of that horse and blundering badly. FLYING MONKEY then shifted out further across the heels of YOUNG EMPIRE as a result of becoming badly unbalanced, resulting in WONDERFUL JOURNEY being bumped and taken wider and GIFT OF LIFELINE, which was following, being checked away from the heels of FLYING MONKEY in consequence. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG EMPIRE immediately following the race revealed that horse to have been galloped on with a small laceration to the inside of the right hock.
Passing the 300 Metres, SHINEALOT and JOLLY BOUNTIFUL bumped as JOLLY BOUNTIFUL commenced to shift to the outside of GIFT OF LIFELINE to obtain clear running.
Near the 200 Metres, JOLLY BOUNTIFUL was shifted out away from the heels of GIFT OF LIFELINE.
After the 200 Metres, as THIS ONE’S FOR YOU was being directed to the outside of YOUNG EMPIRE, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOUNG EMPIRE for some distance as that horse commenced to give ground.
After the 100 Metres, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU was directed to the inside of WONDERFUL JOURNEY to improve into tight running between that horse and YOUNG EMPIRE. Close to the finishing line, WONDERFUL JOURNEY (U Rispoli) shifted in under pressure, resulting in THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, which was improving to the inside of that horse, being taken in and causing YOUNG EMPIRE to be checked when crowded onto FLYING MONKEY. Whilst the Stewards were of the view that there were some circumstances to this incident, in particular THIS ONE’S FOR YOU improving into tight running inside WONDERFUL JOURNEY, nonetheless U Rispoli was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Because of these incidents, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU was not able to be tested over the latter stages of the race.
After the race, it was reported that GENEROUS HEART had bled from both nostrils.
GIFT OF LIFELINE and VERY SWEET ORANGE were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (473) JAFFE HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

From a wide barrier, FRIENDS OF NANJING was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.
In the early stages, MISTER MONTE was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead.
Passing the 1300 Metres, DIAMOND LEGEND commenced to travel keenly and was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNATE RUNNER for some distance.
Approaching the 1200 Metres, RULETHEROOST was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NABOO STAR.
Approaching the 1000 Metres, HAPPY WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover.
After the 700 Metres, NABOO STAR and DIAMOND LEGEND raced tight as both horses improved their position to the outside of FORTUNATE RUNNER which shifted out away from the heels of MISTER MONTE. This resulted in DIAMOND LEGEND bumping NABOO STAR on a number of occasions prior to the 600 Metres.
Approaching the 500 Metres, MR DARTHVEGAR was awkwardly placed behind LITTLE ISLAND. As MR DARTHVEGAR shifted to the outside of LITTLE ISLAND after the 500 Metres, LOVE CHUNGHWA was shifted out away from the heels of MR DARTHVEGAR and brushed CHARITY WINGS which was taken wider.
At the entrance to the Straight, MR DARTHVEGAR was shifted to the inside of LITTLE ISLAND. MR DARTHVEGAR then improved to be racing tight inside CURLING LUXURY which passing the 200 Metres shifted in, resulting in MR DARTHVEGAR racing tight inside that horse. MR DARTHVEGAR was then held up for clear running until the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be properly tested.
Also at the entrance to the Straight, DIAMOND LEGEND and NABOO STAR raced tight.
Approaching the 400 Metres, FORTUNATE RUNNER, DIAMOND LEGEND and NABOO STAR all raced tight.
The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if MR DARTHVEGAR (S de Sousa) had been afforded a fair start. After viewing the videos, it was established that after being loaded into the barriers MR DARTHVEGAR, which was being assisted by a starting gate handler, became fractious. MR DARTHVEGAR then stood satisfactorily until the start was effected at which time the horse again became fractious and momentarily turned its head to the right into the adjoining stall and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. Throughout this incident, MR DARTHVEGAR continued to be assisted by the starting gate handler. As the Stewards were satisfied that MR DARTHVEGAR became fractious of its own accord as the start was effected and that the starting gate handler had played no part in the horse turning its head and missing the start, they ruled that MR DARTHVEGAR had been afforded a fair start and accordingly the horse was deemed to be a runner. Having regard to MR DARTHVEGAR’s recent record of having been fractious in the barriers, the Stewards ruled that it must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. After the race, S de Sousa dismounted from MR DARTHVEGAR as he was experiencing lower back pain. As S de Sousa was transported to hospital, the Stewards, acting under the powers of Rule 112(5), approved for weighed-in to be declared without Jockey de Sousa weighing in.
When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on HAPPY WARRIOR as compared to those employed when the horse was successful last start, Trainer J Moore stated that instructions given to Z Purton on both occasions had been consistent. He said at its last start he was asked to ride the horse in about 5th or 6th position with cover, however, after being left racing wide and without cover in the race that was not being run at a fast tempo, the jockey elected to allow the horse to improve its position into the lead. He said he felt that tonight’s race would be run at a good tempo as there were a number of horses drawn more favourably than HAPPY WARRIOR which he expected would take up forward positions. He said he felt that if HAPPY WARRIOR were to be ridden forward tonight, because of the anticipated speed in the race, the horse would be left racing wide and without cover towards the lead. He said as the horse had drawn the outside barrier, he asked Jockey Purton to again attempt to obtain a position in advance of midfield and whilst this may have resulted in the horse again being left wide and without cover, he felt that there would be more of a chance for HAPPY WARRIOR to obtain cover than if were to be ridden to lead. He added it would be his intention in the future, wherever appropriate circumstances exist, to have the horse ridden from behind the speed as he believes that HAPPY WARRIOR is best suited when able to race with cover.
RULETHEROOST and HAPPY WARRIOR were sent for sampling.
<10/3/2019 6 March 2019 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 4 (473)>The Stewards today interviewed S de Sousa regarding the injury which led to him being stood down from riding at the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 6 March 2019 after Race 4. S de Sousa stated that in Race 2 he became unbalanced after ALL BEST FRIENDS was bumped heavily by HERO TIME. He said after this he felt some minor discomfort but was able to continue riding. He said in this race when MR DARTHVEGAR began very awkwardly, it resulted in him again feeling some further discomfort during the race but nothing which restricted him in his riding out of that horse. He said MR DARTHVEGAR experienced difficulty obtaining clear running for the majority of the Straight when he attempted to improve inside CURLING LUXURY where there was tight room. He said although he was not able to test MR DARTHVEGAR in the Straight, this was not due to the subsequent lower back pain that he experienced on pulling up on MR DARTHVEGAR after the race.

Race:5 (474) GLOUCESTER HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1650 m

As the start was effected, CHEERFUL BOY, which was fractious in the barriers, reared and landed awkwardly, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERFUL BOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.
TOP LAURELS was crowded for room on jumping between AMAZING which shifted in and THUNDER STOMP which stumbled at the start and shifted out.
SARRI shifted in abruptly at the start and hampered FLYING QUEST.
From the outside barriers, AMAZING and IMPERIAL GALLANTRY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
After initially being ridden along, RACING LUCK was steadied and shifted across behind runners shortly after the start to obtain cover.
Passing the 1600 Metres, HAR HAR HEART and SARRI bumped.
Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, RIGHT HONOURABLE was awkwardly placed outside SARRI when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse.
Making the turn near the 550 Metres, TOP LAURELS lay in towards the heels of SUMSTREETSUMWHERE.
Close to the finishing line, TOP LAURELS was awkwardly placed behind SARRI and consequently was not ridden out over the concluding stages.
A veterinary inspection of TOP LAURELS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.
A veterinary inspection of RACING LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SUMSTREETSUMWHERE and HAR HAR HEART were sent for sampling.
<7/3/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>TOP LAURELS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. TOP LAURELS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K L Man 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, TOP LAURELS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:6 (475) THE POLICE CUP (HANDICAP) (Sec1) Class 3 1800 m

On arrival at the Start, the Veterinary Officer reported that RAZOR QUEST was found to be lame in the right front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, RAZOR QUEST was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, RAZOR QUEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
WILLIE WAY was crowded for room on jumping between NAMJONG PLUS and FAMOUS WARRIOR which shifted in. In this incident, WILLIE WAY made contact with the hindquarters of NAMJONG PLUS which became unbalanced. After this, from wide barriers, NAMJONG PLUS and WILLIE WAY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
PIKACHU began awkwardly.
C Schofield (NAMJONG PLUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 350 Metres he directed his mount to the outside of SLEEP EDUCATION when not clear of WILLIE WAY and bumped that horse which in turn shifted out across the rightful running of PIKACHU which was checked and forced wider. C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 24 March 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 28 March 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, C Schofield was fined $40,000.
Passing the 250 Metres, FAITHFUL TRINITY shifted out and bumped HELENE CHARISMA. FAITHFUL TRINITY was then directed to the inside of VIGOR FAME after the 200 Metres to obtain clear running.
Close to the finishing line, SLEEP EDUCATION raced in restricted room between YOU HAVE MY WORD and NAMJONG PLUS which shifted in under pressure.
For the majority of the race, WILLIE WAY travelled wide and without cover.
When questioned, K C Leung advised that he was asked to ride RED ELYSEES in about 5th or 6th position. He said from a wide barrier he was able to obtain a good trailing position behind SLEEP EDUCATION in the early stages in advance of midfield. He said RED ELYSEES was very awkwardly placed behind SLEEP EDUCATION for some distance after passing the winning post on the first occasion as that horse did not seem to be maintaining its positon behind FAMOUS WARRIOR. He said RED ELYSEES continued to be very awkwardly placed behind SLEEP EDUCATION near the 1200 Metres. He said when WILLIE WAY commenced to improve its position to the outside of RED ELYSEES near the 1100 Metres, he was reluctant to allow WILLIE WAY to improve around his mount as this may have resulted in RED ELYSEES continuing to be very awkwardly placed behind SLEEP EDUCATION. He said as the tempo of the race was not fast at this time, he elected to shift to the outside of SLEEP EDUCATION and improve his position to race outside the lead near the 800 Metres. He said RED ELYSEES, which was up in grade tonight, came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of RED ELYSEES immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of RED ELYSEES, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RED ELYSEES will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
As T H So, the rider of YOU HAVE MY WORD, had departed the course, the Stewards will interview him regarding his riding out of that horse in the Straight, in particular approaching and passing the 100 Metres.
A veterinary inspection of FAMOUS WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.
HELENE CHARISMA and VIGOR FAME were sent for sampling.
<10/3/2019 6 March 2019 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 6 (475)>When questioned regarding his riding of YOU HAVE MY WORD in the Straight, T H So stated that at the entrance to the Straight he shifted YOU HAVE MY WORD in to follow HELENE CHARISMA through as he expected this horse would finish off the race. He said after riding his mount hard after the 200 Metres, YOU HAVE MY WORD commenced to shift out towards RED ELYSEES which was positioned to the outside of YOU HAVE MY WORD. He said for this reason he put the whip away on YOU HAVE MY WORD and straightened his mount before resuming riding it out over the final 100 Metres.

Race:7 (476) FENWICK HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

WALDORF shifted out at the start and bumped COBY OPPA.
Shortly after the start, ALCARI shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of HIGH FIVE, causing both horses to become unbalanced.
From wide barriers, RELENTLESS ME, E MASTER and GALLANT RETURN were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Near the 850 Metres, RELENTLESS ME became badly unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of HARRIER JET which was being steadied. This resulted in RELENTLESS ME shifting in and being awkwardly placed close to the heels of GALLANT RETURN and consequently losing ground.
Making the turn near the 550 Metres, GALLANT RETURN was awkwardly placed behind ALCARI.
After the 300 Metres, GALLANT RETURN was held up for clear running when awkwardly placed close to the heels of DIAMOND RHYME when being shifted out into tight running between that horse and ALCARI.
Passing the 250 Metres, WALDORF was shifted to the outside of SPECIAL STARS after being disappointed for running inside that horse. WALDORF then got its head on the side and shifted out passing the 200 Metres and had to be corrected in order to improve into the heels of DREAM COME TRUE. As WALDORF was corrected to improve inside that horse, DREAM COME TRUE shifted in momentarily under pressure, resulting in WALDORF being awkwardly placed behind that horse and having to be steadied away from its heels after the 150 Metres.
Near the 50 Metres, the whip of Apprentice C Wong (WALDORF) was momentarily caught under the breast plate, placing him at a disadvantage for a number of strides.
Close to the finishing line, HIGH FIVE shifted out and inconvenienced COBY OPPA. GALLANT RETURN, which was following COBY OPPA, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse passing the winning post and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.
For the majority of the race, DIAMOND RHYME (Z Purton) travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, Z Purton stated that apart from having to endure a wide run, he was not able to offer any explanation for the manner in which DIAMOND RHYME did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND RHYME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.
When questioned regarding his riding of COBY OPPA in the early stages, K Teetan stated that it was anticipated that DREAM COME TRUE would lead the race as this horse had previously shown sufficient early speed to lead its races last season and had travelled in a forward position in its trials leading up to tonight’s race. He said from barrier 3 he was instructed to allow that horse to cross COBY OPPA and remain racing one horse off the rail as the connections did not want COBY OPPA to be positioned behind DREAM COME TRUE on the rail in the event that that horse was not able to finish off the race. He said COBY OPPA, which was having its first start at Happy Valley tonight, did not show the same early speed that it did at its last start on the All Weather surface and SPECIAL STARS, which was racing to the outside of COBY OPPA, showed more speed than his mount in the early stages. He said he was reluctant to maintain his position inside SPECIAL STARS as he anticipated that that horse would shift in to race one horse off the rail which would likely result in COBY OPPA having to race on the rail. He said if SPECIAL STARS allowed DREAM COME TRUE to cross as he anticipated, this would result in COBY OPPA being positioned on the rail where the was specifically instructed not to be. He said he therefore allowed SPECIAL STARS to cross COBY OPPA and to race on the rail near the 1000 Metres. He added he then rode his mount along to improve his position to race outside SPECIAL STARS, however, HIGH FIVE was improving its position to the outside of COBY OPPA and he believed he would have had to make too much use of his mount to prevent that horse from crossing COBY OPPA, therefore he allowed HIGH FIVE to obtain the position outside DREAM COME TRUE near the 800 Metres and obtained a trailing position behind that horse one horse away from the rail.
When questioned regarding the improved performance of HIGH FIVE, Trainer A T Millard stated that he was disappointed in HIGH FIVE’s last start as the horse was ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position as in tonight’s race, however, did not show as much early speed as had been anticipated and after racing further back in the field than had been hoped, the horse then did not finish off the race. He said HIGH FIVE showed more early speed tonight than it was able to last start which resulted in the horse being placed more prominently throughout the race. He said the only further explanation he could offer for the horse’s improved performance tonight was that it may have appreciated the more forgiving track as a result of the rain which fell during the afternoon. He added nonetheless HIGH FIVE’s improved performance was not anticipated as he believed that the horse would be a place chance at best in tonight’s race given its disappointing performance last start.
COBY OPPA, HIGH FIVE and ALCARI were sent for sampling.

Race:8 (477) ARSENAL HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1200 m

HAPPY FAMILY began awkwardly and lost ground.
SUPER TURBO shifted out at the start and bumped FLAT HEAVEN which became unbalanced and lost ground.
From a wide barrier, STARLIGHT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, BOLD STITCH lost ground when crowded for room between HANDSOME BO BO and STORM SIGNAL which, despite the efforts of its rider, got its head on the side and shifted in away from COUNTRY STAR. During this incident, STORM SIGNAL lost its right hind plate.
After being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, SPEED VISION was left racing very wide approaching the first turn after the 1000 Metres and then after laying out and making the turn very awkwardly was steadied to obtain a trailing position. SPEED VISION was then steadied in an attempt to obtain cover, however, continued to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the race and gave ground noticeably prior to the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of SPEED VISION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SPEED VISION, which was successful at its most recent start and which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPEED VISION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
Making the turn near the 550 Metres, FLAT HEAVEN raced tight inside BOLD STITCH which got its head on the side and lay in.
Near the 450 Metres, BOLD STITCH raced tight between HINCHINLOVE and FLAT HEAVEN which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER TURBO.
Approaching the 250 Metres, FLAT HEAVEN was shifted to the outside of STORM SIGNAL after being disappointed for running inside that horse. FLAT HEAVEN then had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 200 Metres shifted out and brushed MUSIC ADDITION when improving into tight running between that horse and HANDSOME BO BO. After this, MUSIC ADDITION (A Sanna) gave ground. After the race, A Sanna stated that MUSIC ADDITION travelled well outside the leader HANDSOME BO BO and considering the manner in which the horse travelled in the middle stages, he expected it to finish off the race well. He said however after placing MUSIC ADDITION under pressure rounding the Home Turn, the horse did not quicken as he expected it would and he was unable to prevent the eventual winner FLAT HEAVEN from shifting out inside MUSIC ADDITION near the 200 Metres. He said MUSIC ADDITION then gave ground noticeably and, despite being ridden out, did not finish off its race. A veterinary inspection of MUSIC ADDITION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MUSIC ADDITION, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MUSIC ADDITION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
Approaching the 100 Metres, FLAT HEAVEN and SUPER TURBO raced tight.
After the race, N Callan stated that he was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of COUNTRY STAR. He said the horse travelled satisfactorily behind the leaders in the early and middle stages, however, in the Straight the horse’s action felt short when under pressure and weakened noticeably over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of COUNTRY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of COUNTRY STAR, favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COUNTRY STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
After the race, M Chadwick expressed concern regarding the action of STORM SIGNAL. A veterinary inspection of STORM SIGNAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, STORM SIGNAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
After the race, it was reported that BOLD STITCH had bled from both nostrils.
COUNTRY STAR, FLAT HEAVEN and SUPER TURBO were sent for sampling.
<7/3/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>MUSIC ADDITION, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. MUSIC ADDITION was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Y S Tsui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, MUSIC ADDITION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.