22/09/2021  Happy Valley  Race 8

TELECOM ROCKET shifted out at the start and bumped SEVEN HEAVENS. MIGHTY VALOR began awkwardly. HERE COMES TED got its head up on jumping and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From wide barriers, LIKE THAT and RHAPSODY were also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1000 Metres, HARMONY N HOME commenced to travel keenly and was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of TELECOM ROCKET. Approaching the 900 Metres, QUADRUPLE DOUBLE was momentarily awkwardly placed behind MIGHTY VALOR, MIGHTY VALOR lay out along the Back Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, TELECOM ROCKET and HARRIER JET raced tight. Throughout the race, HIGH RISE SOLDIER travelled wide and without cover. After the race, A Badel stated that after beginning only fairly, DECISIVE TWELVE was then bumped by QUADRUPLE DOUBLE. He said he then had to ride his mount along in the early stages in order for DECISIVE TWELVE to obtain a forward position. He said when racing outside QUADRUPLE DOUBLE, DECISIVE TWELVE travelled too keenly in the middle stages and would not relax. He said because of the manner in which DECISIVE TWELVE was travelling, he allowed the horse to improve its position after the 800 Metres to clear MIGHTY VALOR rather than fight his horse. He said by doing this he hoped that DECISIVE TWELVE would relax better. He added DECISIVE TWELVE came under pressure at the entrance to the Straight and then after giving him a limited response in the early part of the Straight then weakened over the concluding stages. He said, in his opinion, DECISIVE TWELVE’s failure to finish off the race was attributable to the horse racing too keenly in the middle stages. A veterinary inspection of DECISIVE TWELVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, J Moreira was not able to offer any explanation for the manner in which MIGHTY VALOR weakened noticeably in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY VALOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Having given consideration to the fact that at its most recent start the rider of MIGHTY VALOR reported that the horse’s action deteriorated in the latter stages which resulted in him easing it down over the final 200 Metres and that MIGHTY VALOR had been found to be lame after a number of its recent races, the Steward will refer this matter to the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy for further diagnostic assessments. Subject to this assessment, the Stewards ruled that MIGHTY VALOR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. QUADRUPLE DOUBLE, SEVEN HEAVENS and TRANSCENDENT were sent for sampling.