12/12/2018  Happy Valley  Race 6

COMPLACENCY and BUOYANT BOY bumped at the start. DARING FIT shifted out on jumping and bumped MOST BEAUTIFUL. From a wide barrier, CHEEKY BEE was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1000 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of MOST BEAUTIFUL. FEARLESS FIRE was then awkwardly placed behind MOST BEAUTIFUL for some distance approaching the 800 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, DARING FIT and SALTO OLIMPICO raced tight as DARING FIT shifted to the outside of BIG BANG BONG to obtain clear running. When questioned, A Badel stated that he was instructed to ride DARING FIT where it was comfortable from barrier 7 but to avoid being left racing three wide if at all possible. He said after DARING FIT began well, he observed that a number of horses were being ridden along to obtain a forward positon to his inside and he did not believe that DARING FIT would have sufficient speed to clear those horses and he therefore elected to shift his mount across behind runners and obtain a position closer to the rail. He said after the 1100 Metres he niggled DARING FIT along in an attempt to obtain a position closer to the horses in front, however, DARING FIT appeared to have difficulty coping with the pace of the race. He said as he was also asked to shift DARING FIT to the outside of runners in the Straight, he commenced to shift that horse out rounding the Home Turn and was able to obtain clear running shortly after entering the Straight after which DARING FIT finished off the race only fairly. He added, based on the manner in which DARING FIT was out-paced for a good portion of tonight’s race, he suggested to connections that they consider stepping the horse up in distance in its future races. A veterinary inspection of DARING FIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Mr L Ho, the trainer of VIVA COUNCIL, stated that the horse was entered for tonight’s race at the request of the owner. He said when VIVA COUNCIL drew barrier 9, he had concerns as to where the horse would be positioned given that it had not previously raced or barrier trialed at Happy Valley. He said as he felt that tonight’s race would be run at a good tempo and given that VIVA COUNCIL in the early part of its career had difficulty making the turn, he felt that the horse may have difficulty with the first turn given the short run to the first turn. He said he therefore instructed Apprentice H T Mo, the horse’s rider, to attempt to obtain a position in about midfield with cover if possible. Apprentice Mo stated that making the first turn near the 1000 Metres VIVA COUNCIL commenced to lay out and then continued to lay out in the Back Straight. He said near the 650 Metres VIVA COUNCIL became badly unbalanced in its action and he was concerned that the horse may have gone amiss. He said however that VIVA COUNCIL balanced back up, nonetheless it continued to lay out. Mr Ho was advised that if he wishes to race VIVA COUNCIL at Happy Valley Racecourse in the future, the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily at this venue before approval will be given for it to be entered. A veterinary inspection of VIVA COUNCIL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COMPLACENCY, SPEED VISION and BUOYANT BOY were sent for sampling.