18/12/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

After being placed in the barriers, DREAM WARRIORS (K Teetan) became fractious and then as the start was effected was slow to begin and then lost further ground when crowded for room between BEST ALLIANCE and ORIENTAL ELITE which shifted out. K Teetan stated that because of these incidents he was obliged to ride DREAM WARRIORS towards the rear of the field when it had been intended for the horse to race in a forward position from the wide barrier. KANBEKI MOLLY began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in GOOD RUNNERS WAY being crowded for room inside LIGHTNING STEED. RULETHEROOST began only fairly and then was crowded for room between ALL YOU KNOW and LITTLE THUNDER which shifted in. Passing the 1400 Metres, PLAY WISE was eased away from the heels of THUNDER STOMP which raced tight inside KANBEKI MOLLY. Passing the 1000 Metres, ORIENTAL ELITE commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of PLAY WISE for some distance. Near the 250 Metres, PHENOMENAL momentarily raced tight inside LITTLE THUNDER. Passing the 150 Metres, DREAM WARRIORS, which was commencing to close off the race, was crowded for room between KANBEKI MOLLY which, when giving ground, shifted out away from ORIENTAL ELITE and PLAY WISE (M F Poon) which shifted in before being corrected. When DREAM WARRIORS was crowded for room, it shifted in and bumped KANBEKI MOLLY, causing that horse to be taken in towards the heels of ORIENTAL ELITE, resulting in both KANBEKI MOLLY and DREAM WARRIORS losing ground when checked. M F Poon was reprimanded and advised that whilst there were a number of circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he had allowed PLAY WISE to shift in, albeit marginally, before correcting his mount. He was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PLAY WISE had sustained a cut to the right hind coronet. Passing the 100 Metres, BEST ALLIANCE raced in restricted room outside LITTLE THUNDER and inside the heels of RULETHEROOST. RULETHEROOST lost its right hind plate over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the winning performance of LIGHTNING STEED tonight compared to its last start, Mr C Fownes, the trainer of LIGHTNING STEED, stated that prior to its most recent start he had barrier trialed the horse over 1700 Metres at Happy Valley and he had been satisfied with the performance of the horse in the trial. He said he therefore decided to race LIGHTNING STEED over 1650 Metres for the first time at Happy Valley on 4 December 2019. He said as LIGHTNING STEED had shown good pace in races over a shorter distance, it was intended for the horse to lead at its most recent start, however, after being slow to begin it was required to race towards the rear of the field and then over-raced and travelled wide and without cover. He said because of these circumstances the horse was not able to finish off the race. He added by being able to race in a forward position tonight as had been hoped last start, LIGHTNING STEED was able to perform much better. A veterinary inspection of ALL YOU KNOW and KANBEKI MOLLY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GOOD RUNNERS WAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. RULETHEROOST, LIGHTNING STEED and THUNDER STOMP were sent for sampling.