02/06/2021  Happy Valley  Race 9

NABOO STAR began awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of GAMEPLAYER TIMES which shifted in. This resulted in NABOO STAR being steadied away from the heels of GAMEPLAYER TIMES. MEGA HEART and NORDIC WARRIOR bumped at the start. MEGA HEART and NORDIC WARRIOR were then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. BEAUTY FIT began only fairly and in the early stages was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. From a wide barrier, HELENE WISDOM STAR was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After being crossed by GOLFMAN STAR passing the 1000 Metres, GAMEPLAYER TIMES commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of that horse. After this, GAMEPLAYER TIMES continued to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed behind GOLFMAN STAR. After the 800 Metres, FARSHAD shifted out away from the heels of GAMEPLAYER TIMES as that horse continued to be awkwardly placed behind GOLFMAN STAR. This resulted in FARSHAD being left racing wide and without cover. In the Straight, FARSHAD raced with its head on the side and lay in under pressure. Passing the 200 Metres, HALL OF CHAMP was shifted to the outside of EXCEPTIONAL NICE in an endeavour to improve into tight running between that horse and GALLANT CROWN. GALLANT CROWN then shifted in marginally passing the 150 Metres, resulting in HALL OF CHAMP continuing to race in restricted room between GALLANT CROWN and EXCEPTIONAL NICE which approaching the 100 Metres also shifted out marginally. This resulted in HALL OF CHAMP being disappointed for running between EXCEPTIONAL NICE and GALLANT CROWN and stumbling passing the 100 Metres. As the Stewards were of the opinion that HALL OF CHAMP had not properly established running between EXCEPTIONAL NICE and GALLANT CROWN, that HALL OF CHAMP had for some distance raced in restricted room between those horses when endeavouring to improve and as the shifts from GALLANT CROWN and EXCEPTIONAL NICE were minimal, they were satisfied that there was no rider carelessness attributable to this incident and accordingly no further action was taken. Near the 50 Metres, TOTAL POWER and GALLANT CROWN raced tight. After the race, C Y Ho reported that NABOO STAR travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would be able to finish off its race. He said however that in the Straight NABOO STAR did not quicken and appeared reluctant to improve between runners. He said he continued to place the horse under pressure, however, NABOO STAR gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages and failed to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of NABOO STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HALL OF CHAMP, FARSHAD, EXCEPTIONAL NICE and NORDIC WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HALL OF CHAMP, GALLANT CROWN and EXCEPTIONAL NICE were sent for sampling.