23/09/2020  Happy Valley  Race 6

ROYAL RACER and LUCKY MISSILE bumped at the start. MURRAY’S PARTNERS and BLOOMING SPIRIT began only fairly and then MURRAY’S PARTNERS was bumped by BLOOMING SPIRIT on jumping which shifted in. Shortly after the start, ROCKET HAMMER was bumped by THUNDER STOMP which shifted out after receiving contact from FAITHFUL TRINITY. This resulted in ROCKET HAMMER and RIGHT HONOURABLE racing tight for a short distance inside LUCKY TURBO. From the outside barrier, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, THUNDER STOMP, which was travelling keenly, shifted in away from the heels of UNIVERSAL GO GO which was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. THUNDER STOMP then improved into tight running between UNIVERSAL GO GO and JOLLY FOREVER, resulting in those horses racing tight for some distance and bumping on a number of occasions. Passing the 1000 Metres, BLOOMING SPIRIT was awkwardly placed behind THUNDER STOMP. Passing the 900 Metres, ROCKET HAMMER became unbalanced if its own accord and stumbled. The Stewards will monitor the racing manners of ROCKET HAMMER in its future race starts. After this, ROCKET HAMMER came under pressure and subsequently finished tailed out. The performance of ROCKET HAMMER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ROCKET HAMMER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ROCKET HAMMER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Passing the 800 Metres, BLOOMING SPIRIT became unbalanced after being bumped by JOLLY FOREVER which, when being shifted to the outside of THUNDER STOMP, was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse which shifted out. Near the 550 Metres, LUCKY MISSILE, which had come under pressure, lost ground when crowded for room between ROYAL RACER which got its head on the side and lay out and UNIVERSAL GO GO which was racing tight inside JOLLY FOREVER which itself was racing tight inside BLOOMING SPIRIT after being unable to proceed between that horse and THUNDER STOMP which lay out. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error associated with this incident, no further action was taken. When questioned, C Y Ho (UNIVERSAL GO GO) stated that in the early stages he was left racing three wide and without cover. He said after the 1200 Metres he allowed his mount to improve to race outside LUCKY TURBO which was racing outside FAITHFUL TRINITY. He said he felt that LUCKY TURBO was going to continue on forward of FAITHFUL TRINITY approaching and passing the 1100 Metres as LUCKY TURBO established about a half length margin over FAITHFUL TRINITY and therefore he continued racing three wide with a view to following LUCKY TURBO across in the event that that horse cleared FAITHFUL TRINITY. He said however that FAITHFUL TRINITY maintained its position approaching and passing the 1000 Metres which resulted in LUCKY TURBO not being able to clear FAITHFUL TRINITY and this resulted in UNIVERSAL GO GO being required to race wide and without cover until after the 700 Metres. When questioned, M F Poon stated that after obtaining a good run behind the speed in the middle stages, LUCKY MISSILE came under heavy pressure after the 700 Metres and he was required to ride the horse vigorously passing the 650 Metres. He said the manner in which LUCKY MISSILE came under pressure at this stage, given that it had enjoyed a good run to that point, indicated to him that the horse was not comfortable racing amongst horses as LUCKY MISSILE, despite being ridden along, was reluctant to maintain its position. He said when LUCKY MISSILE raced tight near the 550 Metres, his mount came under heavy pressure at this stage and continued to give ground approaching the Home Turn. He said however that after obtaining clear running in the Straight, his mount did not continue to give further ground and finished off the race one-paced. He added when successful at its last start the horse was able to race outside runners and finished off the race much better. He said he recommended to connections that they consider adding blinkers to the gear carried by LUCKY MISSILE in its future starts given its reluctance to hold its position after the 700 Metres. Mr D J Hall, the trainer of LUCKY MISSILE, said that he had previously applied blinkers to the horse at its track work and it had proved somewhat difficult to settle and for this reason he elected to add sheepskin cheek pieces to the horse’s gear in the lead up to its last start success. He said however that based on tonight’s performance, he would again consider adding blinkers to the horse’s gear given that it appeared to be reluctant to maintain its position. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MISSILE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LUCKY MISSILE, favourite for tonight’s race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY MISSILE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY TURBO and BLOOMING SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY MISSILE, ROYAL RACER and FAITHFUL TRINITY were sent for sampling.