03/03/2021  Happy Valley  Race 9

On jumping, NOTHING NEW was bumped by SUNNY STAR which shifted in after being bumped by E STAR which began awkwardly. NABOO STAR was checked on jumping when badly crowded for room between SAVAQUIN and SURREALISM which shifted out abruptly. In this incident, NABOO STAR bumped the hindquarters of SAVAQUIN which became badly unbalanced. SURREALISM and SAVAQUIN were then steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, PIANO SOLO was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1600 Metres, E STAR shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SUNNY STAR. Passing the 1300 Metres, NOTHING NEW got its head up when awkwardly placed behind TOTAL POWER. After this, NOTHING NEW continued to travel keenly and approaching the 1200 Metres shifted out towards the heels of FARSHAD. HEAVENLY THOUGHT travelled wide and without cover until approaching the 600 Metres and then in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of HEAVENLY THOUGHT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of HEAVENLY THOUGHT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HEAVENLY THOUGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 500 Metres, GIFT OF LIFELINE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY STAR. Rounding the Home Turn, PIANO SOLO was held up for clear running behind SUNNY STAR. Approaching the 200 Metres, SUNNY STAR and SAVAQUIN raced tight. Then near the 150 Metres, SUNNY STAR raced in restricted room between SURREALISM and SAVAQUIN. Passing the 150 Metres, PIANO SOLO was shifted out away from the heels of NOTHING NEW. PIANO SOLO then had difficulty obtaining clear running and was shifted out further behind SURREALISM and then SUNNY STAR to obtain clear running passing the 50 Metres. When questioned, H T Mo stated that he was instructed to ride TOTAL POWER positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position and then to steady his mount to allow runners to improve around TOTAL POWER and to ultimately obtain a position with cover behind the speed. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode TOTAL POWER along in the early stages and approaching the winning post on the first occasion he cleared runners to his inside to race on the rail. He said he then steadied TOTAL POWER with a view to allowing either FARSHAD or HEAVENLY THOUGHT to improve around his mount, however, when those horses did not continue forward, this resulted in TOTAL POWER travelling keenly and leading which had not been the intention. FARSHAD and SAVAQUIN were sent for sampling.