Recap by phillip woo

Smiling Time sustained a move from behind midfield 500m out to just blouse favourite Eighteen Palms on the wire for his second Happy Valley win from eight starts this term. He deserved his victory. Eighteen Palms did everything right but get the win after the rail opened up to hit the front 120m out following his box-seat run. He has run well in both of his starts. Proud Dragon dashed late with one wider out to just take third after a patient ride second last from the outside gate. It was good effort trying the Happy Valley 1,650m for the first time. London Luckystar kept on gamely after chasing the speed one off the fence in third from barrier seven. It was another good effort despite his rise in class following his recent win. Flash Famous came from last and widest out to finish next best. He held his own up in grade. Gallant Hero ran on without menacing after being ridden for luck third last on the fence from gate 10. It was another honest effort. Kungfumaster Panda weakened in the run to the wire, briefly leading in the home straight after rushing forward three wide from midfield to track the speed 1,000m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (422) - SAI KUNG HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

BELL OF HAPPINESS was withdrawn on 14.2.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FLASH FAMOUS (V Borges).

Before being allowed to race again, BELL OF HAPPINESS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

EMERGING jumped only fairly, shifted in and made contact with COPARTNER ERA.

Shortly after, EMERGING was then steadied to avoid the heels of WIND N GRASS which shifted in.

SMILING TIME jumped awkwardly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

REGENT GLORY also jumped awkwardly, resulting in M Chadwick losing the use of his right stirrup iron until approaching the winning post on the first occasion.

Approaching the first turn near the 1300 Metres, REGENT GLORY commenced to race keenly and was then steadied away from the heels of LONDON LUCKYSTAR for some distance thereafter.

REGENT GLORY then continued to race keenly in the early stages.

From the outside barriers, PROUD DRAGON, FLASH FAMOUS and GALLANT HERO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

KUNGFUMASTER PANDA raced wide in the early stages which resulted in its rider, Apprentice Y L Chung, allowing KUNGFUMASTER PANDA to stride forward and take up a position outside the lead near the 900 Metres.

Between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres, GALLANT HERO was held up behind EMERGING before obtaining a narrow run to the inside of EMERGING passing the 200 Metres.

Passing the 200 Metres, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA lay in and brushed WORLD FAMOUS and passing the 150 Metres was then momentarily crowded by LONDON LUCKYSTAR (C L Chau) which shifted in.

C L Chau was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of V Borges (FLASH FAMOUS), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ensure that he fully rides his mounts out to the finish of the race.

When questioned regarding his riding of LONDON LUCKYSTAR, C L Chau stated that after obtaining cover behind KUNGFUMASTER PANDA near the 800 Metres, he elected to shift his mount out soon after to avoid having to continuing to race behind that runner.

He said his decision to shift out was influenced by the fact that LONDON LUCKYSTAR is a horse that requires momentum in its races and for this reason he shifted out avoid being held up and his mount losing momentum after that point.

A veterinary inspection of WORLD FAMOUS and REGENT GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SMILING TIME and EIGHTEEN PALMS were sent for sampling.