28/02/2024  Happy Valley  Race 9

BEAUTY INFINITY (H377): Sent for sampling post-race. SCOTCH TYCOON (G088): No report. JUMBO LEGEND (G266): Over the final 200 Metres was badly held up behind VANTASTIC CHOICE and could not be tested. EVERYONE'S VICTORY (E177): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. KING ECCELLENTE (G264): Slow to begin. Over the final 200 Metres was held up and could not be ridden out to the finish. OUR LUCKY GLORY (G292): Raced wide and without cover from the 900 Metres. Sent for sampling post-race. VANTASTIC CHOICE (G401): No report. VULCANUS (J150): Jumped only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded. BONUS PAL (H360): Bumped shortly after the start. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YOUTH POWER (H358): After the 350 Metres was awkwardly placed close to SCOTCH TYCOON and was steadied. DAN ATTACK (H317): Jumped awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. When questioned, A Hamelin stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride DAN ATTACK conservatively in the early stages in an endeavour to have his mount settle. He said he was also instructed if possible he should make his run to the inside in the Home Straight as connections had formed the opinion that it was advantageous to improve on this section of the track. He said he shifted DAN ATTACK across behind runners in the early stages where his mount raced keenly. He said after following KING ECCELLENTE into the Home Straight, he initially ascertained as to whether a run was available to the inside of KING ECCELLENTE having regard to his instructions. He said when KING ECCELLENTE maintained its position towards the inside, he then observed the run available to the outside of YOUTH POWER and behind OUR LUCKY GLORY where he endeavoured to balance DAN ATTACK up and then commenced to allow it to improve into the event. He added near the 200 Metres once fully balanced he was able to place DAN ATTACK under pressure where it finished the race off reasonably well. When questioned regarding his vigour between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres, A Hamelin stated that at all stages through this section of the race he was urging his mount forward, but having regard to his previous experience with the horse, where it was required to be balanced before being placed under full pressure, he was reluctant to ride his mount along fully through this section of the race. Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with his ride. After considering his explanations, the Stewards advised A Hamelin that he had made an error of judgement between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres by not placing his mount under full pressure to follow OUR LUCKY GLORY into the event. Whilst the Stewards found Jockey Hamelin had made an error of judgement, they were satisfied that his actions had not resulted in DAN ATTACK not finishing the best possible placing in the field. SO AWESOME (D258): No report.