03/10/2018  Happy Valley  Race 8

JUMBO HAPPINESS stumbled at the start. EAGLE jumped in at the start and bumped GENEROUS HEART, resulting in that horse, which was slow to begin, being further hampered. From wide barriers, JOLLY CONVERGENCE, HERO TIME and GAMECHANGERS were all shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After leaving the 600 Metres, G-ONE LOVER commenced to over-race and shifted out off the heels of SMART LEADER, resulting in FANTASTIC FEELING being forced wider. Rounding the Home Turn, EIGHTY EIGHTY was awkwardly placed between CALIFORNIA ARCHER and EAGLE. After the 200 Metres, JOLLY CONVERGENCE was inconvenienced when racing tight inside GENEROUS HEART which was inclined to lay in under pressure. Passing the 150 Metres, GAMECHANGERS was directed to the inside of CALIFORNIA ARCHER to continue improving. Over the concluding stages, GENEROUS HEART was awkwardly placed behind JUMBO HAPPINESS which was weakening. Throughout the race, EAGLE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned regarding his riding of CALIFORNIA ARCHER and why he did not take up a position directly on the rail when racing in the lead, G van Niekerk stated that in accordance with his instructions he allowed CALIFORNIA ARCHER to take up a forward position and was able to assume the lead on the first turn. He said during the course of tonight’s meeting he formed the view that horses racing away from the rail, particularly in the Straight, appeared to be advantaged and therefore he elected to race one horse away from the rail on CALIFORNIA ARCHER rather than racing near to the rail and having another runner improve to his outside and hold him in that position. He said by racing one horse away from the rail he felt that he was in a better position to allow CALIFORNIA ARCHER to drift out at the entrance to the Straight and make its finishing run well away from the inside rail. G van Niekerk was advised that his explanation would be reported. Following the race, Apprentice H T Mo expressed concern regarding the action of G-ONE LOVER. A veterinary inspection of G-ONE LOVER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, G-ONE LOVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, Z Purton was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of JUMBO HAPPINESS which weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of JUMBO HAPPINESS immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small wound at the back of the right hock. A veterinary inspection of EIGHTY EIGHTY and EAGLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JUMBO HAPPINESS, FANTASTIC FEELING and GAMECHANGERS were sent for sampling.