03/05/2023  Happy Valley  Race 9

JUMBO FORTUNE was slow to begin. GOLD GOLD BABY was also slow to begin and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. EQUALETTA BLITZ jumped awkwardly and made contact with the right side of its barrier. Shortly after the start, NORDIC DRAGON shifted in and bumped CALIFORNIA CIBLE. HEROIC MASTER was held up making the Home Turn. Passing the 200 Metres, NORDIC DRAGON (H Bowman) shifted in and hampered EQUALETTA BLITZ. H Bowman was advised to exercise more care. Near the 150 Metres, COBHFIELD and GOLD GOLD BABY made contact due to both runners shifting ground, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Over the concluding stages, HEROIC MASTER could not be ridden out when racing tight to the inside of NICCONI COUNTY and close to the heels of MAGIC PHOENIX. After the race, S De Sousa (LUCKY EIGHT) reported that his mount became held up in the Straight behind NICCONI COUNTY and as a result could not be ridden out between the 250 Metres and the 50 Metres when it shifted to the outside of CALIFORNIA CIBLE to obtain clear running. After the race, Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions tonight were to ride NICCONI COUNTY in a more forward position from its wide barrier. A veterinary inspection of GOLD GOLD BABY immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GOLD GOLD BABY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of COBHFIELD immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, COBHFIELD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NORDIC DRAGON and CALIFORNIA CIBLE were sent for sampling.