31/05/2023  Happy Valley  Race 8

TOP TOP TEA shifted out at the start and bumped MALDIVES. PACKING SUCCEEDER shifted out on jumping and crowded C P BRAVE out onto ROYAL PRIDE, resulting in ROYAL PRIDE becoming unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by C P BRAVE. RISING FROM ASHES jumped only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1400 Metres, PACKING SUCCEEDER was checked when crowded by MALDIVES (A Badel) which, after racing tight to the inside of ROYAL PRIDE, then shifted in and away from that runner prior to being corrected by its rider, A Badel. A Badel was reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to relieve the pressure placed on the runner to his inside and make such an effort sooner than he did on this occasion. After the 600 Metres, VIVA POPCORN was momentarily crowded to the inside of TOP TOP TEA which shifted in slightly. Making the Home Turn, VIVA POPCORN lay out, resulting in PRINCE ALEX being taken wider. When questioned regarding his riding from the 800 Metres, M Dee (TOP TOP TEA) stated that after following VIVA POPCORN in the run, he became concerned that LOYAL BABY, who he considered to be one of the main chances, had commenced to establish a break on the field. He added that as he felt VIVA POPCORN was not travelling well at that stage, he elected to shift his mount out to commence a forward move, but then had to make use of TOP TOP TEA to cross VIVA POPCORN and race outside the lead. He added that in retrospect, given the manner in which his mount finished the race off, he may have been better suited by remaining racing behind VIVA POPCORN. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Dee at that section of the race, having regard to his explanations, were reasonable. A veterinary inspection of TOP TOP TEA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of VIVA POPCORN and PACKING SUCCEEDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIXTH GENERATION and LOYAL BABY were sent for sampling.