07/11/2018  Happy Valley  Race 6

TANGMERE shifted out at the start and bumped HAPPY DRAGON. FLYING QUEST and DRAGON LIPS made heavy contact at the start, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced. TOP LAURELS and SICHUAN BOSS bumped at the start. TOP LAURELS then shifted in and bumped NITRO EXPRESS. Shortly after the start, PLANET STAR shifted in after racing tight inside TANGMERE and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of VIGOR FAME, causing both horses to become unbalanced. From wide barriers, NITRO EXPRESS and HAR HAR HEART were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, DRAGON LIPS failed to muster speed. Passing the 1200 Metres, VIGOR FAME raced close to the heels of SICHUAN BOSS. After the 300 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON was directed to the inside of SICHUAN BOSS in an attempt to improve into tight running between that horse and VIGOR FAME. Then approaching the 200 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON (D Whyte) was severely checked when disappointed for running between VIGOR FAME and SICHUAN BOSS which shifted in marginally. As the Stewards were satisfied that clear running did not present itself between SICHUAN BOSS and VIGOR FAME prior to SICHUAN BOSS shifting in marginally and as a consequence HAPPY DRAGON was not able to establish running between those horses, no further action was taken. However, D Whyte was advised to show due care when attempting to improve between runners where there is doubtful room. FLYING QUEST was held up for clear running passing the 200 Metres and was then shifted out a number of horses to obtain a run passing the 100 Metres. Passing the 50 Metres, SICHUAN BOSS, which was giving ground, was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between PLANET STAR and HAPPY DRAGON. In the Straight, MY POWER lay in under pressure, proved difficult to ride and passing the 100 Metres shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of PLANET STAR. When questioned regarding the performance of PLANET STAR, K Teetan stated that after beginning only fairly, he was not able to lead the race outright as SICHUAN BOSS, from a wide barrier, showed superior early speed. He said PLANET STAR travelled only fairly during the race and, when placed under pressure in the Straight, was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. He added, based on the manner in which PLANET STAR raced, he believed the horse’s last start, when pressured in the lead in a fast run race, may have resulted in the horse not being able to back that performance up tonight. A veterinary inspection of PLANET STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SICHUAN BOSS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PLANET STAR, LET’S TAKE IT EASY and NITRO EXPRESS were sent for sampling.