15/01/2020  Happy Valley  Race 9

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to TEAM FORTUNE was replaced. Also on arrival at the Start, A Badel expressed concern regarding the action of BREEDERS’ STAR. BREEDERS’ STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that after the necessary consultations the horse was suitable to race. BREEDERS’ STAR shifted out at the start and bumped HIGHLY PROACTIVE. HIGHLY PROACTIVE and TEAM FORTUNE were then crowded for room between BREEDERS’ STAR and SHINING ACE which shifted in. COPARTNER SPIRIT bounded in the air as the start was effected and lost ground. COPARTNER SPIRIT was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, MARVEL DRAGON was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, STARLIGHT got its head on the side, lay in and bumped TEAM FORTUNE. Near the 750 Metres, COPARTNER SPIRIT commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BREEDERS’ STAR. Over the concluding stages, TAILOR MADE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MOMENTUM GALAXY and consequently was not able to be properly tested. Close to the finishing line, STARLIGHT shifted in under pressure, requiring its rider, Apprentice K H Chan, to stop riding and straighten his mount. K Teetan (HIGHLY PROACTIVE) was fined the sum of $10,000 for hitting his mount with the whip forward of the shoulder on a number of occasions approaching and passing the 100 Metres. K Teetan was placed on notice that should he offend again in a similar manner in the future, the Stewards would consider increasing the penalty which may include a suspension of his licence to ride in races. When questioned, A Badel (BREEDERS’ STAR) stated that he was not under any specific instructions on how the horse should be ridden, rather he should ride it where it was comfortable. He said after beginning awkwardly and making contact with HIGHLY PROACTIVE, he elected to shift BREEDERS’ STAR in behind MOMENTUM GALAXY in the early stages to obtain a position on the rail. He said he had intended to follow that horse, however, BREEDERS’ STAR was not comfortable in its action and he believed that he would have had to ride the horse aggressively in order to maintain its position. He said near the 900 Metres he was racing to the inside of TAILOR MADE in a position worse than midfield and when TAILOR MADE was taken in by SMILING CITY after the 900 Metres, he was of the opinion that BREEDERS’ STAR was not travelling well enough to maintain its position inside TAILOR MADE without having to be aggressively ridden and therefore he elected to take a trailing position behind TAILOR MADE rather than endeavouring to hold his position inside that horse and be interfered with. He added these factors resulted in BREEDERS’ STAR racing back in the field. HIGHLY PROACTIVE and SHINING ACE were sent for sampling.