27/11/2019  Happy Valley  Race 2

On arrival at the Start, it was found that GALAXY EMPEROR had some blood in its mouth. GALAXY EMPEROR was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. CAMFORD MAGIC shifted out at the start and bumped TOP SCORE which was crowded for room inside GRAND HARBOUR. GALAXY EMPEROR began awkwardly and then was ridden along to obtain a forward position, however, travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. GALAXY EMPEROR subsequently gave ground in the Straight and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of GALAXY EMPEROR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of GALAXY EMPEROR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GALAXY EMPEROR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPREME PLUS stumbled at the start and shifted in, resulting in COMPASSION STAR being taken in onto KUNG FU TEA which was in turn taken in onto IRON BOY, resulting in both KUNG FU TEA and IRON BOY losing ground when crowded between COMPASSION STAR and FOCUS which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by IRON BOY. SUPER LUCKY was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages. SIMPLY FLUKE was also steadied to obtain cover shortly after the start. SIMPLY FLUKE travelled keenly after the 900 Metres and passing the 800 Metres shifted out away from the heels of TOP SCORE. Near the 450 Metres, SUPER LUCKY was checked away from the heels of GALAXY EMPEROR which was giving ground. Passing the 300 Metres, GRAND HARBOUR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COMPASSION STAR when being shifted to the outside of that horse. IRON BOY, which was following GRAND HARBOUR, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 150 Metres, SIMPLY FLUKE got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. After the 100 Metres, SUPREME PLUS was shifted out away from the heels of GRAND HARBOUR which shifted out. U Rispoli (IRON BOY) was warned against the practice of raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder. When questioned, A Sanna (SUPER LUCKY) stated that passing the 200 Metres a clear run existed for SUPER LUCKY to improve between SIMPLY FLUKE and SUPREME PLUS. He said he rode his mount aggressively in an attempt to have it improve into that run, however, SUPER LUCKY was somewhat reluctant to improve inside the heels of SIMPLY FLUKE. He said although SIMPLY FLUKE shifted in marginally near the 150 Metres, he still believed that the run was available to the inside of that horse and he persisted for a short distance, however, when it became apparent to him that the run between SIMPLY FLUKE and SUPREME PLUS was closing, he then shifted his mount to the outside of SIMPLY FLUKE passing the 100 Metres and into clear running to the outside of that horse. A Sanna was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have shifted SUPER LUCKY to the outside of SIMPLY FLUKE when that horse lay in near the 150 Metres. He was told to ensure that he is alert to more advantageous positions and takes runs whenever they become available. When SUPER LUCKY shifted to the outside of SIMPLY FLUKE near the 50 Metres, KUNG FU TEA was inconvenienced. A veterinary inspection of FOCUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOP SCORE and COMPASSION STAR were sent for sampling.