Recap by phillip woo

Well-backed late Kurpany went wire-to-wire after straightening three lengths on top to add to a nice win last start at the Valley. He was given a perfectly-rated ride to continue his fine form this season on both surfaces. Czarson ran on well to grab second after straightening three from the back near the inside. He's racing well without winning. Class dropper Duke Wai stayed on well to grab a placing despite getting caught wide without cover in midfield the entire trip. It was a solid first effort on the surface carrying top weight. Red Desert had his chance after a rails run in midfield but found a few too smart. He's struggling to hit top form this season. Ka Ying Master gradually faded after working forward three deep from a wide gate to travel one off in third. It was another honest effort. Man Star got going when the race was all but over after travelling five back on the fence. He's not quite good enough at this level. Silver Fig ran on without menacing after settling one from the back. He didn't get the race run to suit but may be on his mark after a win three starts back. When You Believe weakened after chasing the winner on the fence. He's a Class Three horse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (384) - ALDRICH BAY HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Meters

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that CONGRATULATION had blood in the mouth.

CONGRATULATION was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

CONGRATULATION began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KURPANY.

CONGRATULATION was then crowded for room between WHEN YOU BELIEVE and KURPANY which shifted in when unbalanced.

SILVER FIG shifted out at the start and was steadied away from the heels of DUKE WAI.

After this, SILVER FIG was shifted across behind runners.

KA YING MASTER stumbled at the start.

SUNNY BOY shifted in on jumping and bumped CZARSON.

Approaching the 800 Metres, MAN STAR raced tight between GUNNISON and SUNNY BOY (D Moor) which shifted in.

D Moor was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

CONGRATULATION made the turn after the 700 Metres awkwardly, shifted out and raced tight inside GUNNISON.

Throughout the race, SUNNY BOY and DUKE WAI travelled wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of MAN STAR and SUNNY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of WHEN YOU BELIEVE immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils.

RED DESERT, KURPANY and CZARSON were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Races 4 and 5 were each put back 5 minutes.

2.

26 January 2022 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 9 (374) The Stewards today questioned Mr W Y So, the trainer of DECISIVE TWELVE, regarding the tactics adopted in this race.

Mr So explained that prior to the race he believed that it would be run at a very good tempo with horses which were drawn inside DECISIVE TWELVE such as JOLLY GOOD HEART and COLONEL engaged.

He said he was concerned if use were made of DECISIVE TWELVE in the early stages to go forward and was then not able to show sufficient speed to cross runners to its inside, DECISIVE TWELVE would be left racing wide and without cover and further given the horse's prior history of travelling keenly in its races would not be able to relax after being ridden along in the early stages.

He said as DECISIVE TWELVE had run well when ridden from off the speed in the past, he elected, given the makeup of the field, to ride the horse in about a midfield position in the hope that it would be able to finish the race off.

He added that he was disappointed with the performance of DECISIVE TWELVE in this race but felt that the horse travelling keenly in the middle stages may have been the reason for DECISIVE TWELVE's failure to close the race off.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of AMAZING BOY, TAILOR MADE, LUCKY MISSILE, VIVA POPCORN, FAITHFUL TRINITY, ICE LEGEND, CHARMING STEED, LOYAL BABY, TOTAL POWER, SUNNY DELIGHT, SHADOW RUNNER, LUCKY ARCHANGEL, BEAUTY JOY, SAVAQUIN, WINNING METHOD, THE RUNNER, ZONE D, GORYTUS, MEANINGFUL STAR, TORONADO PHANTOM, LOVING A BOOM and EASON (19.1.22) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: FUN N GLORY at barriers on veterinary advice.

Race 8: COPARTNER ELITES at barriers on veterinary advice.

2.

Fines Race 9: C L Chau (TURIN REDSUN): $45,000 for careless riding passing the 150 Metres.

L Ferraris (COBHFIELD): $5,000 for using the whip on a horse out of contention.

3.

Reprimands Race 3: L Currie (RED BRICK FIGHTER) for shifting in after travelling a short distance.

A Badel (VOYAGE STAR) for shifting in approaching the 1300 Metres.

4.

Warnings Race 7: M Chadwick (SAVVY NINE) for shifting in shortly after the start.

Race 10: D Moor (SUNNY BOY) for shifting in approaching the 800 Metres.

5.

Suspensions Race 9: C L Chau (TURIN REDSUN) for careless riding passing the 150 Metres (from 16 February 2022 until 21 February 2022 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

6.

Bleeder Race 10: WHEN YOU BELIEVE

7.

Barrier Trials Race 3: FUN N GLORY Race 5: SOLAR POWER Race 7: EXCELLENT PROPOSAL Race 8: COPARTNER ELITES Race 9: PACKING VICTORY

8.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: FUN N GLORY Race 4: PEARL CHAMPION Race 7: EXCELLENT PROPOSAL Race 8: COPARTNER ELITES Race 9: PACKING VICTORY

9.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement MIXED - All Weather Track / Turf A+3 Course

10.

Rolling Arrangement The track was not rolled today.