19/10/2022  Happy Valley  Race 6

SUPER DOBBIN, which was fractious in the barriers, turned its head to the right as the start was effected, resulting in the horse losing ground. DECISIVE TWELVE began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between STARFIRE GEMS which shifted out and then was bumped by H Z TOURBILLON which on jumping was taken out by IGNITING and STORMTROUPER which shifted in after being bumped by DRAGON DELIGHT which in turn was taken in by POWER KOEPP. From wide barriers, ATULLIBIGEAL and SPONTANEOUS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 800 Metres, STORMTROUPER was crowded for room inside POWER KOEPP which initially got its head on the side and lay in away from BEAUTY GLORY before being taken in marginally by that horse passing the 800 Metres. BEAUTY GLORY was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to POWER KOEPP and STORMTROUPER. POWER KOEPP got its had on the side and made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly. At the entrance to the Straight, POWER KOEPP was bumped by STORMTROUPER which attempted to shift to the outside of BEAUTY GLORY to obtain clear running. When initially unable to improve between BEAUTY GLORY and POWER KOEPP, STORMTROUPER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY GLORY passing the 300 Metres. STORMTROUPER was then bumped by POWER KOEPP which shifted in approaching the 250 Metres. This resulted in STORMTROUPER racing in restricted room between POWER KOEPP and BEAUTY GLORY for a short distance. POWER KOEPP and SPONTANEOUS raced tight outside STORMTROUPER passing the 150 Metres. ATULLIBIGEAL shifted in under pressure over the concluding stages. Throughout the race, BEAUTY GLORY travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, STARFIRE GEMS did not handle racing at Happy Valley for the first time tonight. He said the horse became worked up prior to the start which resulted in it then not being able to relax and travel comfortably during the race. He said after obtaining a forward position on STARFIRE GEMS, his mount travelled only fairly in the middle stages and after coming under heavy pressure passing the 400 Metres then weakened out of the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of STARFIRE GEMS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EXCELLENT PEERS and ATULLIBIGEAL were sent for sampling.