25/09/2019  Happy Valley  Race 9

MOST BEAUTIFUL began awkwardly and lost ground. From wide barriers, MR PICASSO, HARRIER JET, FANTASTIC FEELING and JOYFUL UNION were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Near the 1150 Metres, FAIRY TWINS was momentarily crowded for room between SHINING ACE and ENDEARING which shifted out. Passing the 1100 Metres, SHINING GEM shifted out and bumped MR PICASSO. After the 1000 Metres, SHINING GEM was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 750 Metres, BEST ALLIANCE became unbalanced in its action. Rounding the Home Turn, SHINING GEM raced tight outside BEST ALLIANCE which shifted out. In the early part of the Straight, JOYFUL UNION lay in under pressure. Near the 50 Metres, SHINING ACE shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten SHINING ACE. When questioned regarding the performance of RELIABLE TEAM, Z Purton stated that whilst he had to make use of the horse in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and obtain a forward position, he did not believe that he had to make an excessive amount of use of the horse to cross to race outside the lead after the 900 Metres. He said RELIABLE TEAM did not travel as fluently tonight as it had in the past and came under pressure after the 500 Metres. He said when RELIABLE TEAM did not respond to his riding, he was obliged to ride the horse vigorously from the 400 Metres, however, RELIABLE TEAM, which was inclined to lay in rounding the Home Turn, did not quicken and was disappointing as it finished off the race only fairly. He added based on the manner in which RELIABLE TEAM raced tonight, he suggested to connections that they may wish to step the horse up in distance in its future starts to allow it to travel more comfortably in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of RELIABLE TEAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection BEST ALLIANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RELIABLE TEAM, LE TERROIR and ENDEARING were sent for sampling.