08/01/2020  Happy Valley  Race 3

BRIGHT KID shifted out at the start and bumped POLYMER LUCK. POLYMER LUCK then shifted out, resulting in MASTER ROMAN being inconvenienced. RULETHEROOST stumbled on jumping. MERIDIAN TALENT was crowded for room on jumping between NITRO EXPRESS and CITY LEGEND which shifted in away from ORIENTAL ELITE. This resulted in MERIDIAN TALENT and CITY LEGEND losing ground with both horses then being shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Also from wide barriers, VITALITY FORTUNE and HAPPY ROCKY were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, HAPPY ROCKY got its head on the side and shifted in away from the heels of CITY LEGEND, causing VITALITY FORTUNE to become badly unbalanced and make contact with the running rail. After the 1400 Metres, NITRO EXPRESS was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1300 Metres, RULETHEROOST got its head up when very awkwardly placed close to the heels of ORIENTAL ELITE. MASTER ROMAN, which was following and travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RULETHEROOST in consequence. At the same stage, BRIGHT KID got its head up on a number of occasions when close to the heels of POLYMER LUCK which also got its head up when being steadied to allow HAPPY HOUR to cross. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, NITRO EXPRESS raced tight outside ORIENTAL ELITE which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of POLYMER LUCK. Also at this point, BRIGHT KID again got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Passing the 250 Metres, NABOO STAR was directed to the outside of RULETHEROOST to obtain clear running. As NABOO STAR was shifted out, MASTER ROMAN was inconvenienced. After racing tight to the inside of HAPPY HOUR after attempting to improve to the inside of that horse, BRIGHT KID was steadied and shifted to the outside of HAPPY HOUR after passing the 200 Metres to obtain clear running. As the Stewards were satisfied that BRIGHT KID had not properly established running to the inside of HAPPY HOUR, no further action was taken. When BRIGHT KID was shifted to the outside of HAPPY HOUR, CITY LEGEND was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 100 Metres, CITY LEGEND was shifted out further to the outside of RULETHEROOST to continue improving. When questioned regarding the performance of HAPPY HOUR, S de Sousa stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position from the outside barrier and it was hoped that HAPPY HOUR would be able to obtain a position with cover behind the leaders. He said due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, he was left racing wide and without cover approaching the winning post on the first occasion and as it was not available for him to obtain cover as instructed, he therefore allowed HAPPY HOUR to improve into the lead. He said after obtaining the lead passing the 1300 Metres, HAPPY HOUR immediately relaxed and travelled well throughout the middle stages. He said he commenced to ride HAPPY HOUR along passing the 400 Metres and the horse immediately came under pressure and was then disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race after failing to quicken when asked. He added, based on the manner in which HAPPY HOUR weakened in the Straight, he informed the connections that he was of the view that HAPPY HOUR may be better suited by being able to obtain cover rather than leading. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY HOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of VITALITY FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. POLYMER LUCK and NABOO STAR were sent for sampling.