22/01/2025  Happy Valley  Race 3

GOLDEN LUCK (H159): Bumped on the hindquarters at the start. Near the 100 Metres raced in restricted room between FORTUNE WHISKEY and HAYDAY which shifted out. GAMEPLAYER ELITE (H356): Shifted in at the start, was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced. In the early stages over-raced and making the first turn near the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. Near the 300 Metres made contact with SOVEREIGN FUND which shifted out slightly. OUR LUCKY GLORY (G292): Jumped only fairly. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid CRYSTAL POWERFUL and shifted out. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. SOVEREIGN FUND (J402): Bumped shortly after the start. Near the 1000 Metres was checked when crowded between GAMEPLAYER ELITE and SANTORINI which shifted out. Shifted out slightly near the 300 Metres and was bumped. Over the final 50 Metres could not be ridden out to the finish when improving into a narrow run between CRYSTAL POWERFUL and GAMEPLAYER ELITE which shifted in. HAYDAY (H321): Over the final 150 Metres lay out under pressure resulting in its rider M Chadwick having to stop riding and straighten his mount approaching the 50 Metres and again approaching the winning post. Sent for sampling post-race. BITS SUPERSTAR (J362): In the early stages raced keenly and making the first turn was taken wider by GAMEPLAYER ELITE. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. FORTUNE WHISKEY (J153): Ove the final 50 Metres raced tight between SPIRIT OF PEACE and HAYDAY, both of which shifted ground. GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP (K106): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded between HAYDAY and GOLDEN LUCK, both of which shifted ground. SANTORINI (J076): Shifted out at the start, was bumped and became unbalanced. A short distance later was then steadied when crowded by FORTUNE WHISKEY which shifted out despite the efforts of its rider. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres was checked when crowded between SPIRIT OF PEACE and OUR LUCKY GLORY which shifted out when being steadied away from CRYSTAL POWERFUL when that runner was eased to avoid HAYDAY (M Chadwick) which shifted in when not quite clear. M Chadwick was advised to exercise more care and to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. After the event, K Teetan stated that as his mount was having its first race start at Happy Valley he was asked to settle the horse where comfortable and not to make use of it to hold a position. He said as a result SANTORINI settled in a midfield position in the early stages. Trainer F C Lor confirmed the instructions issued. SPIRIT OF PEACE (K007): Sent for sampling post-race. DECRELOT (J551): Shorty after the start was checked when crowded between GAMEPLAYER ELITE which shifted in slightly and SOVEREIGN FUND which was taken out by SANTORINI when that runner shifted out. After improving to the inside of SANTORINI approaching the 1000 Metres was then steadied shortly after when SANTORINI was checked. CRYSTAL POWERFUL (H068): After the event, A Atzeni stated that after enjoying a comfortable run behind the lead CRYSTAL POWERFUL failed to respond to his riding in the Home Straight and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.