A series of incidents marred the Bowen Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, resulting in a veterinary inspection for multiple horses and cautions for several jockeys. Country Dancer sustained a laceration to its right front fetlock during a chaotic sequence of events near the 350-meter mark, according to stewards’ reports.
The trouble began shortly after the start when Chill Master was crowded by Oriental Surprise, which shifted in slightly. Shortly thereafter, Country Dancer, ridden by D B McMonagle, shifted in and made contact with Rich Horse after being bumped by Chill Master. Further complicating matters, Country Dancer attempted to improve into a run between Chill Master and Rich Horse where insufficient room existed. My Flying Angel then shifted out to improve, causing Rich Horse to shift outwards and Country Dancer to be checked and blunder, making contact with Chill Master again.
Stewards determined that Jockey McMonagle did not have sufficient room to improve at that point and advised him to exercise more care in similar circumstances. A subsequent veterinary inspection revealed the laceration to Country Dancer’s right front fetlock.
Other incidents during the race included Top to Sky, ridden by K C Leung, laying in near the 600-meter mark and making slight contact with Lucky Generations. Leung reported that he believed the horse would perform better stepping up in distance to 1400 meters. A veterinary examination of Top to Sky did not reveal any significant findings.
Rich Horse, ridden by M F Poon, had a unhurried start and became unbalanced when bumped by Country Dancer. The horse raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. You’remyeverything, ridden by K Teetan, was momentarily crowded by My Flying Angel (A Badel) near the 400-meter mark. Jockey Badel was advised to exercise more care.
Lucky Generations, ridden by E C W Wong, became unbalanced when bumped by Taihang Scenery at the start. The horse likewise raced keenly in the middle stages and made contact with Top to Sky near the 600-meter mark. Lucky Generations was sent for sampling post-race.
Taihang Scenery, ridden by L Hewitson, shifted in at the start and was bumped. Hewitson reported that his mount got its head up and shifted out approaching the first turn, making contact with Sonic Boom. He added that Taihang Scenery then raced ungenerously before fading in the home straight, and believed the horse would be better suited to a 1000-meter race. A veterinary inspection, including an endoscopic examination, revealed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. The performance of Taihang Scenery was deemed disappointing compared to previous starts. Stewards have required Taihang Scenery to perform to their satisfaction in a barrier trial and undergo a further veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. Taihang Scenery was also sent for sampling post-race.
Oriental Surprise, ridden by Z Purton, started from a wide barrier and was instructed to capture up a forward position. Sonic Boom, ridden by H Bentley, made contact with Taihang Scenery, which had shifted out, near the 1000-meter mark. Sonic Boom also raced keenly in the middle stages.
