10/03/2021  Happy Valley  Race 9

As the start was effected, EQUALETTA BLITZ reared and consequently was slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, EQUALETTA BLITZ will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. STRIVE FOR GLORY and NORDIC WARRIOR began only fairly. SHOUSON shifted out at the start and bumped AURORA PEGASUS. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, EQUALETTA BLITZ got its head up when racing tight inside NORDIC WARRIOR. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that, from the outside barrier, it was hoped that HERCULES would be able to show sufficient speed to be able to obtain a midfield position. He said shortly after the start he commenced to shift HERCULES across behind runners as he was aware that EQUALETTA BLITZ, which was drawn immediately inside HERCULES, did not begin well. He said he had hoped to obtain a position outside NORDIC WARRIOR which he anticipated would shift across to race on the rail which would afford HERCULES a trailing position behind AURORA PEGASUS. He said making the first turn near the 1050 Metres EQUALETTA BLITZ improved its position to be racing inside NORDIC WARRIOR and for this reason NORDIC WARRIOR remained racing one horse off the rail behind AURORA PEGASUS. He said he therefore allowed HERCULES to shift across to race behind NORDIC WARRIOR. He said in the middle stages the race was being run at a fast tempo and HERCULES was struggling to maintain its position behind NORDIC WARRIOR. He said he attempted to have HERCULES remain racing behind NORDIC WARRIOR, however, the horse was unable to keep up with the fast tempo. He added as HERCULES was getting out of its ground, he commenced to ride his mount along more vigorously passing the 700 Metres to improve its position, however, it was not until near the 500 Metres that HERCULES commenced to travel more strongly. He said he followed NORDIC WARRIOR into the Straight and as a gap opened up between NORDIC WARRIOR and HARRIER JET, he commenced to improve into this position. He said however that HARRIER JET was being taken out by AURORA PEGASUS and he was concerned that the gap would close between HARRIER JET and NORDIC WARRIOR and for this reason he directed his mount to the outside of NORDIC WARRIOR to ensure that HERCULES had clear running. He said over the concluding stages HERCULES then finished off the race well. After the race, H N Wong (YOUNG LEGEND) reported that his saddle shifted back shortly after the start, placing him at a disadvantage. A veterinary inspection of EQUALETTA BLITZ immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KA YING MASTER, SHOUSON and HIGH RISE SOLDIER were sent for sampling.