01/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 6

MIRACLES, which proved difficult to load, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial before being allowed to race again. HERCULES jumped only fairly. JAZZ WITH DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped HOSS and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, TRAVEL GUIDE was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. TURTLE AGAIN raced keenly in the early stages and making the first turn was awkwardly placed close to MODEST GENTLEMAN. Near the 125 Metres, FORTUNE CARRIER shifted in and brushed FINGERS CROSSED. When questioned regarding his riding of HERCULES in the Straight, H Bentley stated that near the 200 Metres when following MODEST GENTLEMAN, he identified M L Yeung, the rider of that horse, endeavouring to maintain his position towards the inside rail and for this reason he committed to improve into a run to the outside of MODEST GENTLEMAN. He said as HERCULES commenced to improve into this run, MODEST GENTLEMAN shifted out slightly as VICTORY SCHOLARS also shifted in which resulted in the run to the outside of MODEST GENTLEMAN closing. He added that as he was positioned too close to the heels of MODEST GENTLEMAN, he was not able to shift to that runner’s inside where there was a run available and for this reason he became badly held up on the heels of MODEST GENTLEMAN near the 100 Metres where he was checked to avoid that runner’s heels at the 50 Metres and was unable to ride HERCULES out to the finish of the event. After considering H Bentley’s explanation, the Stewards found that the tactics adopted by him were reasonable in the circumstances. When questioned regarding the performance of MIRACLES, S De Sousa stated that MIRACLES was stirred up prior to the running of the event. He said whilst MIRACLES jumped well and was able to lead, the horse travelled only fairly and its pre-race manners, in his opinion, were the principal reason for its disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of MIRACLES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FINGERS CROSSED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HOSS and VICTORY SCHOLARS were sent for sampling.