10/03/2021  Happy Valley  Race 2

TRIUMPHANT HORSE was withdrawn on 9.3.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT HORSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. COPARTNER ERA began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of HAPPY WIN WIN, causing both horses to become unbalanced. SHANGHAI GRACE and CIRCUIT HERO bumped on jumping. From the outside barrier, DREAM WARRIORS was steadied a short distance after the start to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, TANGMERE shifted out and brushed RED BRICK FIGHTER. In the early stages, CIRCUIT HERO was left racing wide and without cover and then had to be ridden along for some distance in the middle stages to race outside the lead passing the 700 Metres. Near the 1350 Metres, HAPPY WIN WIN and COPARTNER ERA raced tight. ALL YOU KNOW travelled keenly for some distance approaching and passing the 1300 Metres as that horse was steadied to obtain cover behind RED BRICK FIGHTER. After shifting out into a position one horse off the rail after the 950 Metres, TANGMERE shifted out marginally further after the 900 Metres, resulting in COPARTNER ERA, which was racing tight outside the heels of TANGMERE, becoming unbalanced and stumbling. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error associated with this incident, no further action was taken. After the race, the Stewards interviewed N Callan, the rider of CIRCUIT HERO, regarding that horse becoming badly unbalanced rounding the Home Turn. N Callan explained that CIRCUIT HERO is an immature horse which has become unbalanced in its action when he has previously ridden it. He said having its first start at Happy Valley tonight and having not trialed here previously, CIRCUIT HERO came under heavy pressure passing the 500 Metres after having to work hard to cross to race outside the lead in the middle stages. He said CIRCUIT HERO was being hard ridden rounding the Home Turn and, in his opinion, the horse slipped rounding the Home Turn as a result of its action when tired rather than any issue associated with the track. The Stewards subsequently directed that that section of the track be inspected by Officials of the Club who reported that there was no apparent issue with the track at this point which would cause CIRCUIT HERO to have slipped as it did. Having considered the circumstances of this incident, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again at Happy Valley, CIRCUIT HERO must barrier trial satisfactorily at that course. When CIRCUIT HERO became unbalanced, HAPPY WIN WIN, which was awkwardly placed inside that horse, was directed in away from CIRCUIT HERO in consequence. A veterinary inspection of COPARTNER ERA immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small laceration to the left hind pastern. SHANGHAI GRACE, TANGMERE and DREAM WARRIORS were sent for sampling.