14/07/2021  Happy Valley  Race 1

EVEN KEEL was withdrawn on 13.7.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WEALTHY EMPLOYEE. Before being allowed to race again, EVEN KEEL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOLD 'N’ BOLD shifted out at the start and brushed GENERAL DINO. SHINEALOT shifted out at the start and bumped VIRTUS STAR. WEALTHY EMPLOYEE was crowded for room on jumping between LIGHT MY DAY which shifted in and SUCCESS ALLSTARS which got its head on the side and shifted out when being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier. After this, WEALTHY EMPLOYEE was steadied and shifted across behind runners. PERFECT TO PLAY was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, HAY RUN failed to muster speed. Then passing the 1600 Metres, HAY RUN got its head up when awkwardly placed outside the heels of SHINEALOT which was being steadied to obtain cover behind GOLD 'N’ BOLD. Approaching the 1100 Metres, LIGHT MY DAY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VIRTUS STAR. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, GOLD 'N’ BOLD shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SUCCESS ALLSTARS. GOLD 'N’ BOLD then commenced to give ground and near the 500 Metres shifted in marginally, resulting in WEALTHY EMPLOYEE being crowded for room. Approaching the 400 Metres, GOLD 'N’ BOLD and SHINEALOT raced tight. For the majority of the race, VIRTUS STAR travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of VIRTUS STAR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VIRTUS STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The performance of LIGHT MY DAY, which also finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LIGHT MY DAY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SHINEALOT at the request of Trainer P O’Sullivan. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of HAY RUN, LIGHT MY DAY, GOLD 'N’ BOLD, VIRTUS STAR and RIGHTEOUS WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT TO PLAY, SUCCESS ALLSTARS and WEALTHY EMPLOYEE were sent for sampling.