17/03/2021  Happy Valley  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that SMART HUNTER had blood in its mouth. SMART HUNTER was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. TELECOM SMART and SUPREME PLUS bumped at the start. TELECOM SMART then lost ground when crowded for room between SUPREME PLUS which then shifted in when unbalanced after making contact with TELECOM SMART and MOONLUCK. CHEEKY PRAWN was badly crowded for room on jumping between SMART HUNTER and SUNNY BABY which began awkwardly and shifted in. In this incident, SMART HUNTER became unbalanced after being bumped by CHEEKY PRAWN and shifted out. In this incident, SMART HUNTER bumped GOOD SHOT which became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in HAPPY GATHERING being crowded for room outside COURAGEOUS DRAGON. After this, CHEEKY PRAWN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SMART HUNTER was also steadied to obtain cover and got its head up on a number of occasions approaching the 1100 Metres. From the outside barrier, PRINCE OF BON BON was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1050 Metres, COURAGEOUS DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of SPONTANEOUS (Z Purton) which shifted in when not properly clear. Z Purton was reprimanded and told to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the middle stages, SMART HUNTER was reluctant to maintain its position inside SUNNY BABY. Then after being crossed by SUNNY BABY, SMART HUNTER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse passing the 500 Metres. CHEEKY PRAWN made the Home Turn awkwardly after brushing the running rail and becoming unbalanced. Passing the 300 Metres, TELECOM SMART was shifted in away from the heels of SUPREME PLUS to obtain clear running. TELECOM SMART was then shifted in away from the heels of E HONEY passing the 250 Metres to continue improving. Passing the 250 Metres, M Chadwick (HAPPY GATHERING) dropped his right rein. A veterinary inspection of COURAGEOUS DRAGON immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME PLUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPONTANEOUS and GOOD SHOT were sent for sampling.