22/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 4

PERFECT TO GREAT, which became fractious in the saddling stalls, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. Whilst proceeding to the Start, PERFECT TO GREAT backed through the inside running rail, resulting in its rider, M Chadwick, dismounting from PERFECT TO GREAT. On arrival at the Start, PERFECT TO GREAT was again examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. REACH GOAL jumped only fairly, shifted out and brushed FLYING SILVER. REACH GOAL was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From wide barriers, CHATER PINS, SURREALISM and COPARTNER FIONN were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. COPARTNER FIONN and CHATER PINS raced keenly in the early stages. Near the 1300 Metres, PASSING FASHION was eased when positioned tight to the inside of LUCKY DIAMOND which shifted in after improving to the inside of BLASTOISE. Passing the 600 Metres, SURREALISM was eased when momentarily racing tight to the inside of FLYING SILVER. Over the final 100 Metres, REACH GOAL lay in under pressure. When questioned regarding his riding from the 500 Metres, H Bowman (FLYING SILVER) stated that after following PASSING FASHION in the event, when that runner was travelling reasonably well, he was reluctant to shift to its outside to avoid being taken wider. He said as a result when PASSING FASHION shifted out near the 450 Metres, he improved to that runner’s inside where he was following LUCKY DIAMOND and PERFECT TO GREAT. He said when those two runners were contesting a position in advance of him near the 300 Metres, he became held up and was unable to obtain clear running until near the 250 Metres. H Bowman added that making the Home Turn due to the conditions, his vision was restricted and therefore he was not in a position to shift to the inside of PERFECT TO GREAT as he was not sure whether he was clear to do so and therefore he remained racing behind the two runners in advance of him. When questioned regarding DEAR SIBLING racing in a more forward position tonight, K C Leung stated that it was his intention to obtain a position midfield with cover. He said in the early stages after commencing well, when PASSING FASHION and PERFECT TO GREAT held their positions to his inside, he was obliged to ride DEAR SIBLING forward to cross those runners to avoid covering additional ground which resulted in DEAR SIBLING racing more forward than anticipated. A veterinary inspection of CHATER PINS immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. FLYING SILVER, RIGHT AS RAIN and HAPPY ANGEL were sent for sampling.