24/06/2020  Happy Valley  Race 6

YOO YOO KING was withdrawn on 23.6.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ISLAND SHINE. Before being allowed to race again, YOO YOO KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, CZARSON was found to have blood at its mouth. CZARSON was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. CALIFORNIA TURBO shifted out at the start and bumped FANTASTIC FEELING. CALIFORNIA TURBO then raced in restricted room shortly after the start between CZARSON and FANTASTIC FEELING which raced tight inside SKY DARCI. ISLAND SHINE shifted out at the start and made contact with the hindquarters of HIGHLAND FORTUNE. From wide barriers, MOST BEAUTIFUL and WON BALL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, FANTASTIC FEELING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CZARSON. CZARSON travelled keenly for some distance in the early and middle stages. Passing the 400 Metres, FANTASTIC FEELING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CZARSON which got its head on the side and lay out. PING HAI GALAXY, which was following, was awkwardly placed behind FANTASTIC FEELING in consequence. At the entrance to the Straight, CALIFORNIA TURBO was checked away from the heels of THE RUNNER which shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SPEED VISION. CALIFORNIA TURBO was then shifted in away from the heels of THE RUNNER, resulting in MOST BEAUTIFUL, which had improved to be racing inside the heels of CALIFORNIA TURBO, being crowded for room. CALIFORNIA TURBO was consequently shifted out to relieve the tightening to MOST BEAUTIFUL. WON BALL, which was following MOST BEAUTIFUL, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 250 Metres, PING HAI GALAXY was shifted out away from the heels of CZARSON to obtain clear running. After the 200 Metres, CALIFORNIA TURBO had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 50 Metres, CALIFORNIA TURBO was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ISLAND SHINE. Over the concluding stages, MOST BEAUTIFUL raced tight inside THE RUNNER and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. For the majority of the race, HIGHLAND FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Moreira stated that it was intended for SKY DARCI to be ridden behind the leaders as it was anticipated that the horse would have sufficient early speed to cross runners to its inside, in particular FANTASTIC FEELING and CALIFORNIA TURBO. He said in the early stages FANTASTIC FEELING was hard ridden to maintain its position to the inside of SKY DARCI which resulted in him having to ride SKY DARCI along for some distance to clear that horse and to avoid racing unnecessarily wide. He said after being able to cross FANTASTIC FEELING near the 1050 Metres, SKY DARCI was left racing three wide and without cover and therefore he had to continue to ride his mount forward to clear CZARSON to its inside. He said when THE RUNNER handed up to SKY DARCI after racing inside CZARSON, this resulted in SKY DARCI racing in the lead which was further forward than had been intended. HIGHLAND FORTUNE and SKY DARCI were sent for sampling.