Recap by phillip woo

Always Win produced a bold run after a patient ride fourth from the rear to win going away 50m out for a first win at his 14th start. He has returned a better runner this season for his new trainer following fetlock surgery in May and can pick up another in the middle of the grade. Blaze Stamina assumed the lead 130m out after stalking the speed and found one too smart in the end. He's back on track and should be picking up a sprint shortly at either track. Hang's Decision finished well after being posted deep without cover worse than midfield to snatch third in a blanket finish despite top weight. He doesn't know how to run a bad race but may need a claimer's allowance to raise the bar higher.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (399)-PUSSY WILLOW HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Metres

APACHE SPIRIT began awkwardly and lost ground.

KING MORTAR began awkwardly.

ALWAYS WIN was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

From the outside barriers, HAPPY LIFE and WHY WHY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 900 Metres, APACHE SPIRIT momentarily raced in restricted room inside ALWAYS WIN.

Making the turn at the 900 Metres, HINYUEN SWIFTNESS and KING MORTAR raced tight and bumped on a number of occasions.

When being steadied to allow EASY TOUCH to cross approaching the 800 Metres, BLAZE STAMINA, which was travelling keenly, shifted out, resulting in STAR OF JOY being awkwardly placed behind BLAZE STAMINA and in turn shifting out, inconveniencing KING MORTAR.

Passing the 800 Metres, GOAL FOR GOLD improved quickly to be racing inside HINYUEN SWIFTNESS which at this time was being taken in by KING MORTAR (S Clipperton).

This resulted in GOAL FOR GOLD and HINYUEN SWIFTNESS racing tight passing the 700 Metres with HINYUEN SWIFTNESS being steadied approaching the 650 Metres to avoid the heels of KING MORTAR.

S Clipperton was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst there were some circumstances associated with this incident, nonetheless it is incumbent upon him to ensure that he is aware of the positioning of other horses when shifting ground.

Approaching the 700 Metres, HAPPY LIFE shifted out abruptly away from the heels of ALWAYS WIN and bumped WHY WHY which was taken wider.

After this, HAPPY LIFE then shifted in abruptly when racing greenly.

After the 700 Metres, HANG'S DECISION was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 500 Metres, HINYUEN SWIFTNESS and HANG'S DECISION raced tight.

In the early part of the Straight, STAR OF JOY had difficulty obtaining clear running and passing the 300 Metres was held up when unable to improve between EASY TOUCH and BLAZE STAMINA.

STAR OF JOY was then badly held up for clear running until passing the 200 Metres at which stage the horse was shifted to the outside of BLAZE STAMINA.

When questioned regarding the performance of DR LISTENING, J Moreira stated that the horse did not begin as well today as it had done in some of its starts when ridden by him..

He said he rode DR LISTENING along in the early stages to obtain as forward a position as possible and was able to obtain a positon three wide but with cover behind HANG'S DECISION near the 900 Metres albeit further back in the field than anticipated.

He said DR LISTENING received a bump from ALWAYS WIN approaching the 700 Metres and was reluctant to hold its position.

He said he shifted DR LISTENING to the outside of HANG'S DECISION passing the 500 Metres to see if the horse would finish off the race, however, DR LISTENING made the Home Turn awkwardly and the eventual winner ALWAYS WIN was able to improve its position easily underneath DR LISTENING.

He added DR LISTENING was not giving ground in the Straight, however, finished off the race only fairly and, in his opinion, raced disappointingly, particularly in regard to the manner in which it failed to travel comfortably throughout the race.

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

When questioned regarding the performance of KING MORTAR, S Clipperton stated that with the blinkers applied, he was able to obtain a good position behind the leaders.

He added when he shifted KING MORTAR to the outside of BLAZE STAMINA at the entrance to the Straight, he expected the horse to respond strongly.

He said however that KING MORTAR immediately came under pressure and then, despite being tested, did not finish off the race and was disappointing.

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

DR LISTENING, ALWAYS WIN and BLAZE STAMINA were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Races 2 - 10 were each put back 5 minutes.



2.

2 February 2017 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 8 (389) The Stewards today interviewed Trainer K L Man regarding the tactics adopted on RUBY COAST in this race.

Mr Man stated that with the blinkers applied to RUBY COAST, he had hoped that the horse may be able to overcome the wide barrier and obtain a position in about midfield due to the makeup of the field.

He said with blinkers now part of the horse's gear, he hoped that RUBY COAST would be able to race in a midfield position in the future depending on the makeup of the particular race.



3.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 2 February 2017 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of EXCEL ONESELF, BEAUTY CONNECTION, GARLIC YEAH, TELEPHATIA, WISKY, EXCELLENCE, SPARKLING SWORD, ARGENTUM, SPEEDY ACHIEVER, GAME OF FUN, PREMIERE, THOR THE GREATEST, CHARITY JOY, LOVE SHOCK, INVENTOR and CALIFORNIA JOY revealed no apparent abnormality.



4.

Racing Laboratory tests of GIDDY GIDDY, RUGBY DIAMOND, ALL TIMES LUCKY, SPEEDY WALLY, DUTCH WINDMILL, BLISS CARTEL, ANDOYAS, HAPPY CONTENDER, BREEDERS' STAR, CIRCUIT KING, IMPERIAL SEAL, SUM WIN DRAGON, GOOD COMPANION, DESTIN, NITRO EXPRESS, BULLISH SMART, ISAAC, I'M A WITNESS, HARRIER JET, MARVEL HERO and HAPPY SPIRIT (25.1.17) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Severe Reprimand Race 10: S Clipperton (KING MORTAR) for shifting in passing the 800 Metres.



2.

Reprimands Race 5: S de Sousa (GORGEOUS KING) for shifting in approaching the 1100 Metres.

N Callan (GENERAL SHERMAN) for shifting in passing the 150 Metres.

Race 8: J Moreira (WESTERN EXPRESS) for shifting in near the 250 Metres.



3.

Warnings Race 3: Z Purton (BOLSHOI BALLET) for shifting in passing the 900 Metres.

Race 5: N Callan (GENERAL SHERMAN) for shifting out passing the 300 Metres.

Race 8: K Teetan (NEW ASIA SUNRISE) for shifting out approaching the 100 Metres.

Race 9: H W Lai (FIGHT HERO) for shifting in near the 150 Metres.



4.

Stalls Test Race 9: BEAR RAPPER

5.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: SLEDGE HAMMER Race 4: ROYALE ELEGANCE Race 9: EL SHERIF