25/09/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

SHAMPORT was steadied shortly after the start when crowded for room between CHEEKY BEE and THE ABRAXAS which shifted out. In this incident, SHAMPORT bumped the hindquarters of CHEEKY BEE which became unbalanced. From the outside barriers, HAPPY TIME, HERO TIME, BRAVERY AND POWER, SIMPLY FLUKE and IRON BOY were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 850 Metres, SIMPLY FLUKE commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when racing close to the heels of ROMAN ODYSSEY. At the entrance to the Straight, HERO TIME was shifted out across the heels of SHAMPORT to obtain clear running. Near the 100 Metres, CHEEKY BEE was steadied away from the heels of TAKINGUFURTHER (C Schofield) which shifted out abruptly under pressure. The Stewards advised Jockey Schofield that whilst TAKINGUFURTHER did shift out abruptly at the relevant time, nonetheless the horse had given him the indication earlier in the race of its inclination to shift out and he was therefore reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Throughout the race, ROMAN ODYSSEY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TAKINGUFURTHER, C Schofield stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position, however, if other horses showed more speed than TAKINGUFURTHER, it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position. He said TAKINGUFURTHER began only fairly with THE ABRAXAS and VERY RICH MAN beginning better than TAKINGUFURTHER. He said when those horses were ridden aggressively to obtain the lead, he took a trailing position behind THE ABRAXAS after the 1100 Metres. He said when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse, TAKINGUFURTHER initially got its head up passing the 1000 Metres but then after being crossed, relaxed well. He said he was happy with the manner in which the horse travelled in the early and middle stages, however, TAKINGUFURTHER came under pressure near the 500 Metres and then was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. He said TAKINGUFURTHER was inclined to lay out throughout the race and also added that the horse sweated up badly prior to the start. Mr K H Ting, the trainer of TAKINGUFURTHER, said that whilst the horse is usually nervous prior to racing, this was particularly the case tonight and it was more worked up than it was prior to when it was successful at its last run of the most recent racing season. He said he was satisfied with the manner in which TAKINGUFURTHER had performed in a barrier trial in preparation for tonight’s race and said the horse’s work had been good since that trial and accordingly, a forward showing was expected. He added, in his opinion, the manner in which the horse raced tonight could be attributed to the fact that it got worked up prior to the race and therefore was not able to perform at its best. A veterinary inspection of TAKINGUFURTHER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TAKINGUFURTHER, favourite for tonight’s race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TAKINGUFURTHER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHEEKY BEE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TAKINGUFURTHER, SHAMPORT and VERY RICH MAN were sent for sampling.