19/01/2022  Happy Valley  Race 5

SHOWINA was withdrawn on 17.1.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter VAMOS. Before being allowed to race again, SHOWINA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUGAR SUGAR stumbled shortly after the start when bumped by FORTUNE CARRIER which shifted out. After this, SUGAR SUGAR was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. From the outside barrier, MY INTELLIGENT was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. AHEAD A HEAD was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain a position closer to the rail. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, BEAUTY AMIGO was slow to muster speed. When being steadied to obtain cover, THUNDERSTRIKE got its head up when awkwardly placed outside the heels of BEAUTY AMIGO approaching the 1100 Metres. SUGAR SUGAR made the turn near the 600 Metres awkwardly and shifted out and bumped HERCULES, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. In the early part of the Straight, HERCULES raced tight inside MY INTELLIGENT. HERCULES was then shifted to the inside of FORTUNE CARRIER approaching the 200 Metres to obtain clear running. After the 300 Metres, SUGAR SUGAR got its head on the side and lay in. Throughout the race, FORTUNE CARRIER travelled wide and without cover. After the race, J Moreira stated that in the middle stages THUNDERSTRIKE was unable to improve its position due to BEAUTY AMIGO which he was following having difficulty maintaining its position. He said he had to shift THUNDERSTRIKE out a number of horses after the 500 Metres to commence improving his position and then made the Home Turn very wide. He said after being placed under pressure in the Straight THUNDERSTRIKE was then disappointing in its failure to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of THUNDERSTRIKE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHADOW RUNNER and LUCKY ARCHANGEL were sent for sampling.