16/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

After being loaded into the barriers, BE READY became fractious and kicked out behind and in doing so got its left hind leg over the back gates for an extended period before being able to be removed from the barriers. Acting on veterinary advice that BE READY, which sustained a laceration to the left hind leg, was not suitable to race, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, BE READY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTY CHAMP and BLISSFUL LIFE bumped at the start. After this, BLISSFUL LIFE was shifted across behind runners. FORTE began awkwardly and lifted its front feet off the ground, resulting in the horse being slow to begin. Then from a wide barrier, FORTE was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, STOCK LEGEND was steadied and shifted across behind runners and after the 800 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. After beginning well, ELON travelled keenly in the early stages and when racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead after the 800 Metres. After the 700 Metres, FARSHAD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY CHAMP. After the 300 Metres, BEAUTY CHAMP was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MERIDIAN GENIUS when being shifted to the outside of that horse. STOCK LEGEND, which was racing outside MERIDIAN GENIUS, was inconvenienced in consequence. MERIDIAN GENIUS and EASON were sent for sampling.