Recap by phillip woo

Happy Gathering responded well near the inside to take control 100m out after getting a lovely run in the box seat. The win was overdue after placing in three of his past four starts and was getting 16 pounds from the runner-up. Sensationally backed to jump favourite Trader led and turned the final bend nearly two lengths on top but found one better on the night. He goes well for jockey Zac Purton. Cordyceps One ran on steadily along the inside to spice up the tierce after being ridden along to hold a position behind midfield on the fence. It was clearly his best run to date. Happily Friends had his chance following a one-out, one-back run but kept on one-paced. He's found things a bit harder in back-to-back runs. Happy Time ran on all right after getting posted deep behind midfield after jumping awkwardly. It was a better effort at his second Valley start after opening the campaign with a win and third at Sha Tin. Amigos Giggle didn't have much left in the straight after getting caught without cover ahead of midfield from a tricky gate. He had an excuse. New Future never got involved after showing no speed early on. He needed the run and is better suited over a longer trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (106) - TIGER PRAWN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

HAPPY TIME began awkwardly.

NEW FUTURE began only fairly and shifted out towards the heels of HAPPY GATHERING.

TRADER shifted out at the start and bumped AMIGOS GIGGLE.

VICTORIA GENERAL was slow to begin.

From the outside barrier, CORDYCEPS ONE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

Near the 1050 Metres, HAPPY TIME was steadied when tightened for room between TRAVEL DATUK and AMAZING NEWS which got its head on the side and shifted in away from AMIGOS GIGGLE.

ARES travelled wide and without cover until passing the 700 Metres at which stage AMIGOS GIGGLE was left racing wide and without cover.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, TRAVEL DATUK was crowded for room inside AMAZING NEWS which got its head on the side and lay in away from AMIGOS GIGGLE despite the efforts of its rider.

TRAVEL DATUK was held up for clear running at the entrance to the Straight.

Passing the 200 Metres, EVER JOY got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if EVER JOY had been afforded a fair start.

Evidence was taken from V Borges, the rider of EVER JOY, and Mr A Speechley, Starter.

After taking evidence from both parties and after viewing the videos, it was established that prior to the start being effected, EVER JOY became fractious and turned its head to the left and into the adjoining stall occupied by ARES.

As the Stewards believed that EVER JOY's head was turned to the left and into the adjoining stall for a reasonable amount of time for the start to be delayed, they were of the opinion that EVER JOY had not been afforded a fair start and accordingly the horse was deemed to be a non-runner.

A veterinary inspection of NEW FUTURE and ARES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of AMAZING NEWS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that an endoscopic examination of VICTORIA GENERAL found that horse to be a "roarer?? HAPPY GATHERING and TRADER were sent for sampling.