18/04/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

KING BOUNTIFUL was crowded for room on jumping between HAPPY ROCKY and YOU HAVE MY WORD which was taken out by JE PENSE. From wide barriers, GOOD FIT and PLAY IT were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, CLOUD NINE failed to muster speed. Passing the 750 Metres, KING BOUNTIFUL and PLAY IT raced tight as PLAY IT improved around KING BOUNTIFUL. Approaching and passing the 500 Metres, YOU HAVE MY WORD and PLAY IT raced tight as YOU HAVE MY WORD improved into tight running between PLAY IT and JE PENSE. JE PENSE made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in YOU HAVE MY WORD and PLAY IT racing tight outside that horse. Passing the 200 Metres, KING BOUNTIFUL was directed in a number of horses to obtain clear running. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong (MEGATRON) stated that having been instructed to lead, he rode his mount along briefly out of the barriers to take up a forward position. He said after crossing into the lead making the turn near the 2000 Metres, MEGATRON commenced to prove very difficult to settle and then near the 1800 Metres got its head up for some distance when he attempted to steady the horse as he was aware that he was establishing a sizeable margin over the remainder of the field and that the race was being run at a quick tempo. He added despite his best endeavours to steady MEGATRON, the horse continued to travel keenly and would not relax for him and consequently was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of JE PENSE immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of AUDACITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING BOUNTIFUL, ART OF RAW and PLAY IT were sent for sampling.