Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Seven Heavens just wore down firming favourite Utopia Life for the win after a dream run for an overdue win. He relished the downgrade here but will likely find things harder in Class Two again. Utopia Life was just denied after quickly finding the front from gate one. He's been a bridesmaid three straight times on this surface this term but can bob up at any moment. Encore Boy dashed nicely from behind midfield to make it close. It was a big run carrying more weight following a last-start win. Mega Heart came on nicely late down the outside after making his run second from the rear. He rarely produces a bad run on this surface. Elite Patch was full of horse when having to hit the brakes 50m out behind the Quinella pair after a midfield run. He's run well in defeat both times on the dirt this season for his new trainer and will be saluting shortly. Ka Ying Master gradually faded over the last 100m after stalking the speed from a tricky gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (132) - GUANGZHOU HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Acting on advice from the Veterinary Surgeon that DECISIVE ACTION was lame in its right front leg, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Before being allowed to race again, DECISIVE ACTION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

On arrival at the Start, Z Purton expressed concern regarding the action of NATURAL WINNER.

NATURAL WINNER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who after the necessary consultations said the horse was suitable to race.

MEGA HEART was began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of NATURAL WINNER which began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly.

SEVEN HEAVENS and FORZA ANGEL bumped heavily at the start.

SEVEN HEAVENS then became unbalanced after being bumped by ELITE PATCH which shifted out.

From the outside barrier, GENERAL DINO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, COBY OPPA was slow to muster speed.

Passing the 700 Metres, COBY OPPA got its head on the side and lay in and then making the turn after the 700 Metres raced close to the heels of FORZA ANGEL.

Approaching the 450 Metres, ENCORE BOY was awkwardly placed behind ELITE PATCH.

At the 300 Metres, FORZA ANGEL shifted out away from ENCORE BOY and was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of COBY OPPA.

NATURAL WINNER, which was following FORZA ANGEL, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

Passing the 300 Metres, ENCORE BOY and COBY OPPA bumped due to both horses shifting ground.

After this, ENCORE BOY raced tight between COBY OPPA and PRIVATE ROCKET.

Passing the 100 Metres, ELITE PATCH, which was closing off the race, was shifted to the inside of SEVEN HEAVENS in an attempt to improve into tight running between that horse and UTOPIA LIFE.

ELITE PATCH was then checked away from the heels of SEVEN HEAVENS close to the finishing line when disappointed for running between that horse and UTOPIA LIFE.

When questioned, G van Niekerk stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position on ENCORE BOY.

He said however that ENCORE BOY did not begin well and then was shifted out away from the heels of COBY OPPA which shifted out.

He said as ENCORE BOY lost ground at the start, he did not believe that it was available for him to pursue a forward position without having to make undue use of the horse, therefore he elected to shift across behind runners and ride ENCORE BOY further back in the field than had been intended.

A veterinary inspection of COBY OPPA and FORZA ANGEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SEVEN HEAVENS and UTOPIA LIFE were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 23 October 2019 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of LUCKY SHINY DAY, WONDERFUL TIGER, CALLING THE SHOTS, AFTER ME, LA BOMBA, RIGHT HONOURABLE, ENJOY LIFE, NOT USUAL TALENT, PLAYA DEL PUENTE, HAPPY DRAGON, VERY RICH MAN, IRON BOY, HAPPY TIME, SHOUSON, RELIABLE TEAM, JOLLY HONOUR, SURREALISM, LE TERROIR, FIRST RESPONDER, YEE CHEONG BABY, SPEEDY KING and SUPER TURBO revealed no apparent abnormality.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of SKY GEM, ASSOCIATION FANS, ROMANTIC JOURNEY, BEST SMILE, G UNIT, MEHBOOB, BUNDLE OF ENERGY, RIGHTEOUS MATE, KIRAM, FAMILY LEADER, KING'S MAN, BULLISH GLORY, TASHIDELEK, OWNERS' STAR, CROWN AVENUE, LADY FIRST, HAPPY WARRIOR, FOCUS, MY ALLY, SHINING ACE, DANCING FIGHTER, HIGH REV and UNIVERSAL GO GO (16.10.19) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1: NEVER BETTER on 25.10.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 3: LET'S COME BACK on 25.10.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 5: THE CREATETH on 26.10.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 9: DECISIVE ACTION prior to Race 8 on veterinary advice.

2.

Reprimand Race 7: B Shinn (SILVER FIG) for shifting in near the 1100 Metres.



3.

Warnings Race 1: N Callan (SUREWIN) for shifting in near the 750 Metres.

Race 6: G van Niekerk (VOYAGE KING) for shifting in passing the 800 Metres.

4.

Stalls Test Race 6: PLEASANT GUY

5.

Barrier Trials Race 3: JOYFUL CONTENDER KEEP WINNING HIDDEN SPIRIT Race 5: ELITE BOY PROMISE KEPT Race 6: PEGASUS ELITE

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: NEVER BETTER Race 3: LET'S COME BACK JOYFUL CONTENDER KEEP WINNING HIDDEN SPIRIT Race 5: THE CREATETH ELITE BOY PROMISE KEPT Race 9: DECISIVE ACTION