08/12/2021  Happy Valley  Race 3

ONE STEP AHEAD began only fairly and then was crowded for room between SUNNY AND GOLD and SUNNY SMILE which shifted in. SURE WINNER shifted out at the start and bumped ISLAND SUNSHINE. From a wide barrier, TOUCH FAITH was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SUNNY AND GOLD was awkwardly placed outside the heels of VIVA MAMA which shifted out. After the 1100 Metres, K C Leung’s (SPARKLING STAR) left foot slipped from the stirrup iron which he was able to regather passing the 1000 Metres. After the 1000 Metres, ALLOY KING travelled keenly in the lead. Passing the 900 Metres, ISLAND SUNSHINE and SURE WINNER bumped. Passing the 700 Metres, E HONEY was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 350 Metres, MUDITA was tightened for room inside SURE WINNER which was taken in by SUNNY SMILE (A Badel) which, after shifting in marginally, was then directed out to relieve the tightening to SURE WINNER and MUDITA. A Badel was advised that whilst the shift inwards from SUNNY SMILE was momentary, nonetheless he was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Passing the 100 Metres, VECTOR was shifted out away from the heels of VIVA MAMA. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident occurred after the 100 Metres which cast doubt on whether ALLOY KING (A Hamelin) should be declared the third placegetter. Although Z Purton (SUNNY AND GOLD), fourth placegetter, did not lodge a protest/objection on behalf of the connections following the race, the Stewards were of the opinion that the matter should continue to a protest/objection hearing in order for the interests of the connections and the betting public to be safeguarded. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that near the 75 Metres ALLOY KING shifted out as TOUCH FAITH improved to its inside and bumped SUNNY AND GOLD. The Stewards further found that ALLOY KING then became unbalanced and shifted out further, resulting in SUNNY AND GOLD being hampered and taken out onto VIVA MAMA which shifted out away from the heels of SUNNY AND GOLD, causing VECTOR to also be hampered. Having regard to the positioning of SUNNY AND GOLD and ALLOY KING at the time that the initial contact was made between the horses and given the manner in which the horses subsequently finished off the race with a neck margin between them at the finish, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had the interference not occurred, SUNNY AND GOLD would have finished in front of ALLOY KING, therefore the protest/objection was overruled and the placings confirmed as semaphored by the Judge. Z Purton explained that he did not lodge a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of SUNNY AND GOLD as he was of the opinion that given the manner in which SUNNY AND GOLD finished off the race and having regard to the margin between the horses at the end of the race, it was not likely that a protest/objection would be successful. Having regard to the fact that the Stewards ultimately did not amend the placings, no further action was taken. A Hamelin was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground which resulted in contact between the horses. SUNNY AND GOLD, TOUCH FAITH and ONE STEP AHEAD were sent for sampling.