20/02/2019  Happy Valley  Race 1

FIRE AND GOLD was withdrawn on 19.2.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter KEEP GOING (Apprentice C Wong). Before being allowed to race again, FIRE AND GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNING CIRCLE began only fairly. PERFECT CHOICE was crowded for room on jumping between KEEP GOING and REAL GIANT which shifted out after beginning only fairly. SHOW MISSION was crowded for room on jumping between OUR HONOUR and TRENDIFUL, both of which shifted a minimal amount of ground. In this incident, TRENDIFUL became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by SHOW MISSION. From the outside barrier, NASHASHUK was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After being steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover, MONEY MARSHAL commenced to prove difficult to settle passing the 900 Metres and got its head up when momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of HAPPY SOUND. After this, MONEY MARSHAL was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, RAICHU was awkwardly placed close to the heels of OUR HONOUR which was steadied to obtain cover. Near the 750 Metres, NASHASHUK shifted out abruptly when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of OUR HONOUR. Passing the 500 Metres, OUR HONOUR and NASHASHUK raced tight as OUR HONOUR shifted to the outside of HAPPY SOUND. Rounding the Home Turn, HAPPY SOUND lay out and raced tight inside MONEY MARSHAL. WINNING CIRCLE got its head on the side and lay in passing the 300 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, RAICHU momentarily raced tight outside WINNING CIRCLE which shifted out. Near the 50 Metres, KEEP GOING shifted in and raced tight outside RAICHU. Both M Harley (HAPPY SOUND) and H N Wong (REAL GIANT) were spoken to regarding using the whip on their respective mounts when out of contention. When questioned, M Harley stated that he was asked to attempt to take up a forward position on HAPPY SOUND, however, if the horse did not show sufficient speed to obtain a forward position, he should attempt to have it in no worse than midfield. He said after HAPPY SOUND began well, in accordance with his instructions, he rode his mount along, however, HAPPY SOUND did not show enough speed to be able to obtain a position with the leaders. He said he therefore was able to obtain a trailing position behind TRENDIFUL and outside WINNING CIRCLE making the turn near the 1000 Metres. He said he intended to maintain this position, however, HAPPY SOUND was not travelling well after the 1000 Metres and he believed he would have had to make significant use of the horse to continue to maintain the position behind TRENDIFUL. He said because HAPPY SOUND was not able to show as much early speed as had been hoped, this allowed KEEP GOING the opportunity to obtain the position behind TRENDIFUL and in advance of HAPPY SOUND. A veterinary inspection of NASHASHUK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OUR HONOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. THE HAPPY BUNCH, TRENDIFUL and SHOW MISSION were sent for sampling.