11/09/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

On arrival at the track, it was noted that MEGATRON had lost its left hind plate in transit and had sustained minor wounds to both hind legs. MEGATRON was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. ROMANTIC JOURNEY began awkwardly and lost ground. LITTLE ISLAND was crowded for room on jumping between COME ON WONGCHOY and DRAGON WARRIOR, both of which shifted ground. GOLD VELVET shifted in at the start and bumped WONDERFUL TIGER. Then from a wide barrier, WONDERFUL TIGER was steadied and shifted across behind runners. Also from wide barriers, GOLDEN KID and LUCKY SHINY DAY were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. GOLD VELVET travelled wide and without cover until passing the 900 Metres at which time LUCKY SHINY DAY was left racing wide and without cover. SUNNY MAJOR lost its left front plate after the 800 Metres. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SUNNY MAJOR shifted out away from the heels of GOLD VELVET, resulting in SKY GEM being bumped and taken wider. Also making the turn after the 600 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of GOLD VELVET. At the entrance to the Straight, COME ON WONGCHOY momentarily raced tight inside CURLING LUXURY. Passing the 300 Metres, GOLD VELVET was shifted in away from the heels of LUCKY SHINY DAY to obtain clear running. Near the 50 Metres, LUCKY SHINY DAY was awkwardly placed inside SKY GEM. Close to the finishing line, CURLING LUXURY raced tight inside GOLD VELVET. When questioned, A Domeyer stated that he was not given any specific instructions on how GOLD VELVET should be ridden from the wide barrier, however, it was anticipated that the horse may settle in the second half of the field. He said GOLD VELVET began well and he did not ride his mount along in the early stages, however, when the horse began better than he expected, he decided to ride it forward and obtain a position closer to the lead as he did not feel that the race would be run at a particularly fast tempo and felt that steadying the horse towards the rear of the field would not be to GOLD VELVET’s advantage. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON WARRIOR and LITTLE ISLAND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SKY GEM, MEGATRON and GOLD VELVET were sent for sampling.