24/03/2021  Happy Valley  Race 9

As the start was effected, NOTHING NEW bounded in the air and consequently was slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, NOTHING NEW will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. PRIME MINISTER and KING OPIE bumped at the start. After this, PRIME MINISTER was steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barriers, FAST PACE, PIANO SOLO and SUNNY STAR were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, WEALTHY DELIGHT momentarily raced in restricted room inside PERPETUUM which lay in. PERPETUUM was then left racing wide and without cover passing the 1100 Metres. Near the 1350 Metres, PIANO SOLO shifted out and raced tight inside WEALTHY DELIGHT. NOTHING NEW travelled keenly passing the 1200 Metres. PIANO SOLO commenced to travel keenly approaching the 1000 Metres when awkwardly placed behind NOTHING NEW. PIANO SOLO made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of TOTAL POWER. After the 500 Metres, PERPETUUM raced tight outside PRIME MINISTER which shifted to the outside of WEALTHY DELIGHT. Passing the 400 Metres, WEALTHY DELIGHT was momentarily steadied away from the heels of FAST PACE (M L Yeung) which shifted out. M L Yeung was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 250 Metres, FAST PACE was shifted out away from the heels of TOTAL POWER which was directed out by KING OPIE which shifted out and away from NOTHING NEW which itself got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 50 Metres, TOTAL POWER lay in towards KING OPIE, resulting in KING OPIE being checked away from the heels of that horse. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WEALTHY DELIGHT, Z Purton stated that in the early stages he was able to obtain a midfield position on WEALTHY DELIGHT and the horse initially travelled satisfactorily. He said WEALTHY DELIGHT was left flat-footed near the 700 Metres and, despite him riding his mount along, was unable to quicken. He said he placed WEALTHY DELIGHT under heavy pressure prior to the 500 Metres, however, the horse failed to quicken and then over the latter stages of the race was only one-paced. He added he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of WEALTHY DELIGHT as the horse appeared sound in its action both during and after the race. A veterinary inspection of WEALTHY DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of WEALTHY DELIGHT, a last start winner and favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WEALTHY DELIGHT 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 PERPETUUM and KING OPIE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WEALTHY DELIGHT, FARSHAD and SURREALISM were sent for sampling.