26/05/2021  Happy Valley  Race 4

MOONLUCK lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly. ICE LEGEND shifted in at the start and inconvenienced KING’S TROOPER. MOST WELCOME shifted in at the start and bumped WON BALL, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. TELECOM ROCKET was crowded for room on jumping between MELBOURNE HALL and MAJESTIC CONQUEROR which shifted out. After this, TELECOM ROCKET was steadied to obtain cover. AMAZEMENT began only fairly. From wide barriers, MELBOURNE HALL, AMAZEMENT and STORMTROUPER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, STORMTROUPER became unbalanced of its own accord, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of A LA KING, causing both horses to become unbalanced. TELECOM ROCKET, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Rounding the Home Turn, KING’S TROOPER was very awkwardly placed behind MOONLUCK. KING’S TROOPER was then shifted in away from the heels of MAJESTIC CONQUEROR at the entrance to the Straight. KING’S TROOPER then had difficulty obtaining clear running and passing the 200 Metres was steadied when unable to improve to the inside of SEA ELITE. This resulted in KING’S TROOPER continuing to be badly held up for clear running. Then near the 50 Metres, KING’S TROOPER was steadied when continuing to be held up for clear running and racing tight inside AMAZEMENT which was hampered and taken in by MOST WELCOME which shifted in to avoid the heels of ICE LEGEND (B Shinn) which had lay in for the majority of the race and continued to shift in when being ridden out. B Shinn was reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount. Because of this incident, AMAZEMENT was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race whilst KING’S TROOPER was not able to be properly tested in the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, AMAZEMENT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAJESTIC CONQUEROR when being shifted to the inside of that horse in an attempt to obtain clear running. AMAZEMENT was then held up for clear running behind MOONLUCK after being disappointed for running between that horse which was racing tight outside SEA ELITE and MAJESTIC CONQUEROR. This resulted in AMAZEMENT being held up for clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, MELBOURNE HALL had difficulty obtaining clear running. MELBOURNE HALL was then unable to obtain clear running over the final 100 Metres and because of this was not able to be tested. Close to the finishing line, MOST WELCOME raced closed to the heels of MOONLUCK and consequently was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of MAJESTIC CONQUEROR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MOONLUCK, A LA KING and ICE LEGEND were sent for sampling.