15/04/2020  Happy Valley  Race 9

PRIVATE SECRETARY shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE losing ground when crowded for room. TIANCHI MONSTER was steadied shortly after the start when crowded for room between HIGH REV which shifted in initially and EASY GO EASY WIN which shifted out. From wide barriers, HELENE CHARISMA and DANCES WITH DRAGON were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After initially being ridden along from a wide barrier, ENRICHMENT was also shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the 1600 Metres, INSAYSHABLE got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover. When being steadied to obtain cover passing the winning post on the first occasion, PRIVATE SECRETARY got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. Passing the 1300 Metres, HIGH REV was crowded for room between ENRICHMENT and TIANCHI MONSTER which, after being bumped on the hindquarters by HIGH REV, then got its head on the side and shifted out. After the 1200 Metres, INSAYSHABLE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 900 Metres, ENRICHMENT and EASY GO EASY WIN raced tight. ENRICHMENT was then taken wider passing the 800 Metres by EASY GO EASY WIN which was also taken wider by AMAZING BEATS which, when travelling strongly, shifted out away from the heels of HARMONY HERO. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, INSAYSHABLE and HARMONY HERO made contact. When questioned, H N Wong (EASY GO EASY WIN) stated that he was issued with two sets of instructions, firstly, he was told that if EASY GO EASY WIN began well and he was able to take up a forward position easily without having to make too much use of the horse, then he should do so, however, if EASY GO EASY WIN began only fairly, he was to obtain a trailing position rather than make too much use of his mount in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said EASY GO EASY WIN began satisfactorily, however, RELIABLE TEAM, which was drawn immediately to the inside of EASY GO EASY WIN, began well and showed as much early speed as EASY GO EASY WIN and therefore he felt that he would have had to ride his mount along to clear runners to his inside in the early stages and consequently he elected to steady EASY GO EASY WIN shortly after the start and take up a trailing position initially behind RELIABLE TEAM and then behind AMAZING BEATS. After the race, N Callan reported that HIGH REV was left flat-footed when the pace of the race increased passing the 700 Metres. He said after this HIGH REV took some time to gather momentum. He said in the early part of the Straight HIGH REV lay in under pressure and did not quicken and, in his opinion, raced "flat” tonight. A veterinary inspection of HIGH REV immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RELIABLE TEAM and AMAZING BEATS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DANCES WITH DRAGON and ENRICHMENT were sent for sampling.