22/11/2017  Happy Valley  Race 4

WONDERFUL TIGER began only fairly. HAPPY HAPPY STAR shifted out at the start and bumped I’M A WITNESS. ALL YOU KNOW shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of GOLDEN EFFORT. GOLDEN EFFORT then became unbalanced and shifted out. At the same time, TORNEY was crowded for room between HAPPY HAPPY and DOCTORS DELIGHT which was taken in by MY BLESSING. A short distance later, ALL YOU KNOW and TORNEY were both checked when crowded for room between GOLDEN EFFORT which continued to shift out and MY BLESSING (T Berry) which shifted in. In this incident, HAPPY HAPPY and DOCTORS DELIGHT were also hampered. T Berry was advised that whilst there was a shift out from GOLDEN EFFORT which had contributed to this incident, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to do more than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. From a wide barrier, SUPERIOR BOY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After the 1000 Metres, UNIQUE JOYFUL was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, DOCTORS DELIGHT got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL, resulting in DOCTORS DELIGHT being awkwardly placed inside that horse. Also making the turn after the 600 Metres, I’M A WITNESS was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY HAPPY STAR due to both horses making the turn awkwardly. As DOCTORS DELIGHT attempted to improve between I’M A WITNESS and HAPPY HAPPY STAR, DOCTORS DELIGHT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HAPPY HAPPY STAR which shifted out marginally after the 150 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GOLDEN EFFORT which was having its first race start tonight, A Badel stated that although GOLDEN EFFORT was somewhat nervous in the barriers, the horse began well and he was able to take up a forward position behind the leader HAPPY HAPPY STAR in the early stages without having to make any use of his horse. He said GOLDEN EFFORT travelled very well until near the 500 Metres at which time he put the horse under pressure to improve behind HAPPY HAPPY STAR. He said, despite his riding, GOLDEN EFFORT did not quicken as he thought it would and he had to ride the horse vigorously rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight to gain some response. He added, despite being ridden out, GOLDEN EFFORT gave ground and was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened noticeably to finish at the rear of the field. He said having ridden GOLDEN EFFORT prior to tonight’s race, he was unable to detect any issues with the horse and could only say that it is immature at this early stage of its racing career. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN EFFORT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GOLDEN EFFORT, a favourite for tonight’s race and which finished last, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN EFFORT 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, J Moreira reported that after travelling strongly in the lead, HAPPY HAPPY STAR weakened noticeably over the concluding stages and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY HAPPY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN EFFORT, LONDON CITY and HAPPY HAPPY were sent for sampling.