30/10/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

NIMBLE NIMBUS, which made contact with a rail in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race. NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE began awkwardly and lost ground. ROUND THE EARTH began only fairly and then shifted in towards the heels of SEAWEED FORTUNE, resulting in ROUND THE EARTH losing further ground. From the outside barrier, ZONE D was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, NIMBLE NIMBUS got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of E LEGEND. Approaching the 1300 Metres, ESCAPE ROUTE was left racing wide and without cover. ESCAPE ROUTE was then allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead after the 1000 Metres. In the middle stages, NIMBLE NIMBUS travelled keenly and after the 1000 Metres got its head up when awkwardly placed behind E LEGEND. At the 600 Metres, NIMBLE NIMBUS and E LEGEND raced tight as E LEGEND attempted to take NIMBLE NIMBUS wider in order to improve to the outside of MAJESTIC VICTORY. When NIMBLE NIMBUS maintained its position to the outside of E LEGEND, this resulted in E LEGEND being unable to shift out away from behind MAJESTIC VICTORY and striking the heels of that horse near the 550 Metres and stumbling. In this incident, MAJESTIC VICTORY lost its left hind plate. As the Stewards were of the opinion that this incident resulted from E LEGEND being unable to improve to the outside of MAJESTIC VICTORY and the rider of NIMBLE NIMBUS maintaining his position as he was entitled to, no further action was taken. ROUND THE EARTH was held up for clear running passing the 400 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, ESCAPE ROUTE shifted out and bumped NIMBLE NIMBUS. After the 200 Metres, ZONE D got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and correct his mount. In the Straight, MASSIVE ACTION hung in under pressure and proved very difficult to ride. This resulted in MASSIVE ACTION being awkwardly placed close to the heels of RED MAJESTY at the 150 Metres and after the 100 Metres having to be corrected by its rider to prevent causing interference to ROUND THE EARTH. Because of this, MASSIVE ACTION was not able to be properly tested particularly over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of MAJESTIC VICTORY and E LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NIMBLE NIMBUS, RED MAJESTY and ZONE D were sent for sampling.