23/11/2022  Happy Valley  Race 5

LIFELINE VISION and TRIUMPHANT RETURN bumped at the start. JIANGXI STAMINA got its head up on jumping, began awkwardly and then was bumped by WIN WIN FIGHTER which shifted in. From wide barriers, VIVA POPCORN and SPICY GRILL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, TAILOR MADE raced in restricted room between TRIUMPHANT RETURN and JIANGXI STAMINA when being steadied to obtain a position closer to the rail. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SUNNY DELIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHARIZARD when being steadied to obtain a position behind that horse. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, TAILOR MADE was crowded for room between RIGHT AS RAIN and JIANGXI STAMINA (V Borges) which, after shifting in, was directed out abruptly to relieve the crowding to TAILOR MADE. V Borges was reprimanded and told that whilst he did take corrective measures to prevent further crowding to TAILOR MADE, nonetheless he should not have shifted in and crowded that horse’s room. SPICY GRILL was held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 200 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, LIFELINE VISION shifted in and bumped TRIUMPHANT RETURN. Then approaching the 150 Metres, LIFELINE VISION raced tight inside the heels of WIN WIN FIGHTER. CHARIZARD was held up for clear running over about the final 100 Metres and because of this was not able to be properly tested. Throughout the race, GREAT BRILLIANT travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of GREAT BRILLIANT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT BRILLIANT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, Z Purton stated that as there were no regular leaders engaged in tonight’s race, it was decided to ride TURIN WARRIOR positively in the early stages from barrier 10 and obtain a forward position. He said accordingly he rode his mount along after the start and was able to cross runners to obtain the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said TURIN WARRIOR travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages, but after coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn then did not finish the race off over the concluding stages. He therefore formed the view that TURIN WARRIOR may be better suited being ridden more conservatively than it was tonight. A veterinary inspection of TURIN WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, L Currie was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of RIGHT AS RAIN which he said did not close off in the Straight as well as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of RIGHT AS RAIN immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, RIGHT AS RAIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHARIZARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHT AS RAIN, SUNNY DELIGHT and WIN WIN FIGHTER were sent for sampling.