06/07/2023  Happy Valley  Race 7

LUCKY GOR shifted in at the start and bumped with BABY. JUNEAU FLASH shifted in on jumping and made contact with ISLAND SURPRISE. THE EQUALIZER was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. OUR CLASS ACT was held up making the Home Turn. From the 300 Metres to the 200 Metres, LUCKY ARCHANGEL was held up for clear running. Near the 200 Metres, LUCKY GOR improved into a narrow run between ISLAND SURPRISE and MELBOURNE HALL and then raced tight for some distance thereafter. Then near the 150 Metres, LUCKY GOR shifted in and away from MELBOURNE HALL and made contact with ISLAND SURPRISE. A short distance later, MELBOURNE HALL (Apprentice Y L Chung) shifted in, crowding the running of LUCKY GOR. Apprentice Chung was advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to straighten sooner than he did on this occasion. MY INTELLIGENT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After passing the winning post, BABY went amiss and fell, dislodging its rider, A Hamelin. The Chief Medical Officer reported that Jockey Hamelin sustained no injury in this incident. When questioned regarding WATCH BUDDY leading, A Badel stated that whilst he was asked to take up a forward position, when his mount jumped well from the inside barrier, he took the initiative to hold the lead as he was of the view that this was an advantageous position having regard to the pattern of racing tonight. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY GOR 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, LUCKY GOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY GOR, WATCH BUDDY and JUNEAU FLASH were sent for sampling. Samples were also taken from BABY.