13/02/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

GRACIOUS RYDER was bumped on jumping by JIMSON THE DRAGON which was taken in by APPLAUSE which in turn was taken in by DOLLAR REWARD which, when being steadied to obtain cover, shifted in. VERY RICH MAN began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped ALL BEST FRIENDS. From wide barriers, HEARTS KEEPER and HK TOURBILLON were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. POWER RACER was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover and making the turn near the 1000 Metres was awkwardly placed outside the heels of APPLAUSE. HK TOURBILLON raced greenly in the early and middle stages and making the turn after the 600 Metres shifted in, brushed the running rail and became badly unbalanced. FLYING MONKEY lay out rounding the Home Turn. A Badel (APPLAUSE) stated that as he was asked to have the horse positioned as close to the pace as possible, he rode his mount for some distance in the early stages, however, APPLAUSE failed to muster speed. He said APPLAUSE travelled only fairly throughout the race and after being shifted to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn, the horse did not stretch out comfortably despite being ridden out and then over the final 100 Metres shortened noticeably in its action. He added as he had concerns for the welfare of APPLAUSE, he did not ride it out all the way to the end of the race. He said after the race APPLAUSE stumbled on a number of occasions and then when trotting back to the unplaced saddling area did not feel fluent in its action. A veterinary inspection of APPLAUSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, APPLAUSE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WAH MAY PRINCESS and GRACIOUS RYDER were sent for sampling.