17/04/2019  Happy Valley  Race 6

ORIENTAL ELITE was crowded for room on jumping between BULLISH BROTHER and COMPASSION STAR which was bumped by STORM SOLDIER. GOLD VELVET began only fairly and then shortly after the start was awkwardly placed outside the heels of THIS IS CLASS which, when being steadied to obtain cover, shifted out. From wide barriers, FLYING NOBLE and WONDER EXPRESS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, COMPASSION STAR became unbalanced after shifting out and bumping the hindquarters of HASTA LUEGO. Passing the 200 Metres, FLYING NOBLE was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of GOLD VELVET. After the race, J Moreira reported that when forced to race wide and without cover throughout the event, HASTA LUEGO, a previously declared "roarer”, made an abnormal breathing noise and consequently weakened noticeably in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of HASTA LUEGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of ORIENTAL ELITE, Z Purton stated that at its most recent start when successful, ORIENTAL ELITE was able to finish off in a race which was run at a good tempo. He said in tonight’s race after being crowded for room on jumping ORIENTAL ELITE had to be ridden along to obtain a more forward position. He said ORIENTAL ELITE travelled only fairly in a race which again was being run at a good tempo. He said approaching and passing the 400 Metres ORIENTAL ELITE raced in restricted room inside COMPASSION STAR which resulted in his mount becoming unbalanced. He said after obtaining clear running in the Straight ORIENTAL ELITE finished off the race only fairly. He added ORIENTAL ELITE had experienced issues in the past and he was also of the opinion that the horse being required to carry more weight in tonight’s race may have impacted on its ability to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of ORIENTAL ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ORIENTAL ELITE, SUNNY DRAGON and THIS IS CLASS were sent for sampling.