12/10/2016  Happy Valley  Race 4

LETSGOFREE began awkwardly and shortly after the start was crowded for room between GRACYDAD and MASSIVE MILLENNIUM which shifted out. MASSIVE POWER shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SUPREME FLIGHT. After this, MASSIVE POWER was crowded for room between HOT HOT PEPPER and SUPREME FLIGHT which shifted in. From the outside barrier, FORMULA GALORE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 700 Metres, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HASTA LA VISTA. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM raced in restricted room between HASTA LA VISTA and COUR VALANT which, when travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOLDEN GLORY which travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Shortly after entering the Straight, HASTA LA VISTA was shifted out away from the heels of HOT HOT PEPPER when that horse was shifted to the inside of SUPREME FLIGHT. Near the 250 Metres, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM was shifted out away from the heels of COUR VALANT which shifted in. Near the 150 Metres, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM was checked when attempting to obtain clear running between GRACYDAD and NATURAL TEAM which shifted out marginally. In this incident, GRACYDAD became unbalanced after being bumped by MASSIVE MILLENNIUM. After obtaining a tight run between PROMPT EXPRESS and COUR VALANT (N Callan) approaching the 100 Metres, HASTA LA VISTA raced tight inside COUR VALANT which shifted in marginally. COUR VALANT then got its head on the side and hung in under pressure, resulting in HASTA LA VISTA being taken in onto PROMPT EXPRESS, causing that horse and SUPREME FLIGHT to be crowded for room close to the finishing line and HASTA LA VISTA not being able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Close to the finishing line, COUR VALANT was also unable to be ridden out as N Callan attempted to correct COUR VALANT. N Callan was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards conceded that COUR VALANT was hanging in and proving difficult to ride, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more of an effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground than he did on this occasion. Over the concluding stages, MASSIVE POWER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASSIVE MILLENNIUM and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of HOT HOT PEPPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HOT HOT PEPPER, FORMULA GALORE and COUR VALANT were sent for sampling.