12/04/2023  Happy Valley  Race 6

FLASH FAMOUS and STORM LEGEND bumped at the start, resulting in STORM LEGEND becoming unbalanced. JOYFUL GENIUS was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, NOBLE STEED was crowded by EIGHTEEN PALMS which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. From the outside barrier, RAINBOW LIGHT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. STURDY RUBY raced wide and without cover until the 800 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, SPLENDID LIVING shifted out, resulting in HOLY POWER being taken out slightly. Over the final 100 Metres, EIGHTEEN PALMS lay out, resulting in its rider, C Y Ho, having to correct EIGHTEEN PALMS near the 50 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of HAPPY ANGEL, A Badel stated that the preference of connections was to have HAPPY ANGEL race in a forward position, however, with HAPPY ANGEL dropping back in distance, there was some concern his mount may not have sufficient pace to do so. He added that from a wide barrier he was obliged to shift behind HOLY POWER and STURDY RUBY in the early stages where he was able to secure a position one-off following STORM LEGEND. He said after the 1200 Metres when the pace was only moderate, he elected to allow his mount to improve to follow STURDY RUBY which was racing in a three wide position without cover. He further stated that entering the Back Straight near the 900 Metres he then allowed HAPPY ANGEL to continue forward of STURDY RUBY when he felt the pace of the race continued to be moderate and as a result HAPPY ANGEL raced wide and without cover thereafter when unable to continue forward to cross HOLY POWER and SPLENDID LIVING. After the race, L Ferraris (JOYFUL GENIUS) reported that his mount was under pressure from the 700 Metres and failed to quicken from that point. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL GENIUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STURDY RUBY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EIGHTEEN PALMS and SPLENDID LIVING were sent for sampling.