Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed Shining Ace was too good after surging to the front 350m following a boxseat run to cap a huge day for rider Joao Moreira. The horse has been having a terrific season. Computer Patch came from towards the rear to snatch second. It was another fine effort after a last-start win and the future remains very bright for the three-year-old. Transcendent found a couple too good in the end after a midfield run on the fence. He was able to hold his own up in grade after a debut win. Hong Kong Bet kept on reasonably well to fill the frame after a one-off run better than midfield. Punted late Water Diviner got going late from near the back to pick up a minor cheque. Early favourite Duke Wai came up one-paced after copping a sharp bump 250m out straightening behind midfield on the fence. Perfect Match wasn't given the best of rides in the stretch drive by Zac Purton after a deep run with cover racing behind midfield from a wide gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (536) - CHAK ON HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Meters

DUKE WAI lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently lost ground.

WATER DIVINER began only fairly.

CALIFORNIA WHIP shifted out at the start, resulting in HONG KONG BET being inconvenienced and taken out onto SPEEDY KING which was checked away from the heels of HONG KONG BET.

MISSION TYCOON lost its left front plate approaching the 300 Metres.

Passing the 300 Metres, COMPUTER PATCH shifted in and made contact with DUKE WAI which then got its head on the side and shifted in to be momentarily awkwardly placed near the heels of SPEED VISION which was giving ground.

After passing the 50 Metres, GUNNISON was steadied when crowded for room inside PERFECT MATCH which was taken in by WATER DIVINER (C Y Ho).

C Y Ho was severely reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion.

CALIFORNIA WHIP, which was racing to the inside of GUNNISON, was not able to be ridden out over the concluding stages when awkwardly placed outside the heels of HONG KONG BET.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that although PERFECT MATCH was drawn awkwardly, the intention was to ride the horse in a positive manner in an endeavour to take up a forward position as is customary.

He said however that as the start was effected PERFECT MATCH began awkwardly and then lost further ground when GRACEANDMERCY shifted out to its inside.

He said with a number of runners to his inside all taking up prominent positions very quickly, this forced him to find cover back in the field.

He said although obliged to race three wide throughout the event, PERFECT MATCH had cover at all times and when shifted to the outside of GUNNISON early in the Straight and placed under pressure, PERFECT MATCH responded only fairly and was slightly disappointing.

He said the only excuse he could offer was that PERFECT MATCH was not suited by being ridden back in the field.

A veterinary inspection of PERFECT MATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned, M Chadwick stated that at its last start when successful COMPUTER PATCH was given time to settle and closed off the race strongly to win.

He said whilst the horse may have settled a little further back in the field than was anticipated today, he was asked to ride it conservatively so that it could finish off in a similar manner to that of its last start.

He said COMPUTER PATCH again closed off strongly today when ridden in this manner.

After the race, H W Lai reported that SPEEDY KING did not show its customary early speed and did not stretch out comfortably during the event.

A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of GUNNISON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of SPEED VISION immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small cut to the left front pastern.

PERFECT MATCH, SHINING ACE and COMPUTER PATCH were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Adjourned Inquiry - 25 March 2020 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 2 (520) The Stewards today took evidence from V Borges in respect of an incident which resulted in him being dislodged from PRETTY BAUHINIA just prior to the 200 Metres.

It was established that after being disappointed for a run between SHINEALOT and KANBEKI MOLLY which shifted in marginally near the 250 Metres, PRETTY BAUHINIA was then directed to the outside of KANBEKI MOLLY in order to obtain clear running.

It was further established that as PRETTY BAUHINIA was shifting to the outside of KANBEKI MOLLY, it clipped the heels of that horse and stumbled badly, resulting in V Borges being dislodged.

As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was deemed necessary.

2.

Omission from Racing Incidents Report of 25 March 2020 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 8 (526) For the majority of the race, VICTORY POWER travelled wide and without cover.

3.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 25 March 2020 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of GALAXY RACER, WONDERFUL TIGER, VIRTUS STAR, BEST ALLIANCE, HAPPY WARRIOR, WINNING WAYS, ZERO HEDGE, FARM BUMPER, BLOOMING SPIRIT, SNOW AIRJET, SUPER LUCKY MEHBOOB, SHOUSON, VERY RICH MAN, CINQUANTE CINQ, JOLLY HONOUR, NABOO STAR, GREEN REIGN, WINNING METHOD and SHINING GEM revealed no apparent abnormality.

4.

Racing Laboratory tests of SKY GEM, GARLIC YEAH, YOUNG GLORY, WOOD ON FIRE, EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE, CONFUCIUS DAY, LITTLE BIRD, VERY SWEET ORANGE, AMAZING KIWI, ALPHA HEDGE, LIGHTNING STEED, HAPPY GOOD GUYS, ARES, SUNSHINE WARRIOR, HEAVENLY THOUGHT, VICTORY IN HAND, JUMBO HAPPINESS, ISLAND SHINE, AMAZING STAR and WALDORF (18.3.20) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: BIZ POWER at barriers on veterinary advice.

Race 5: XPONENTIAL on 28.3.20 on veterinary advice.

Race 8: PLANET STAR on 28.3.20 on veterinary advice.

2.

Severe Reprimands Race 2: K C Leung (GALA NIGHT) for shifting in approaching the 1800 Metres.

Race 5: N Callan (VICTORY MASTERY) for shifting out after leaving the 300 Metres.

Race 10: C Y Ho (WATER DIVINER) for shifting in after passing the 50 Metres.

3.

Warnings Race 4: V Borges (WINNING TOGETHER) for shifting out on the Home Turn.

Race 6: G van Niekerk (TELECOM ROCKET) for shifting out after the 100 Metres.

K Teetan (WINWIN THIRTYTHREE) for using his whip forward of the saddle over the final 200 Metres.

4.

Bleeder Race 2: GARLIC YEAH

5.

Barrier Trials Race 4: INCANTO PREPARED Race 6: SAM'S LOVE Race 7: GRATEFUL HEART

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: PLEASANT GUY Race 2: GAYSON Race 3: BIZ POWER Race 4: INCANTO PREPARED Race 5: XPONENTIAL Race 6: SAM'S LOVE GENERAL CASTLEDALE Race 7: GRATEFUL HEART FRUSTRATED Race 8: PLANET STAR Race 10: SPEEDY KING