12/01/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

SPECIAL M shifted out at the start and bumped BE READY which was taken out, causing CALIFORNIA FOREST, which began only fairly, to be crowded for room inside STOLTZ. HEART CONQUERED shifted out abruptly at the start despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in STORM WARNINGS being crowded for room. After this, from a wide barrier, STORM WARNINGS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, GINSON was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, WINE AND WINE shifted out and inconvenienced HARMONY FIRE. Approaching the 800 Metres, SPECIAL M became unbalanced when racing tight outside HARMONY FIRE. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, GOLD MARQUIS shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JOYFUL WIN. For the majority of the race, JOYFUL WIN (M Chadwick) travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, M Chadwick stated that although his mount was required to race very wide and without cover throughout, nonetheless he felt that JOYFUL WIN raced "flat” tonight and believed that its last start performance may have taken more out of the horse than expected. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also throughout the race, HEART CONQUERED travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 300 Metres, SPECIAL M was directed to the outside of STOLTZ to obtain clear running. Also passing the 300 Metres, HARMONY FIRE shifted out from behind WINE AND WINE to improve into running between that horse and SERGEANT PEPPER. WINE AND WINE (C Wong) then shifted out marginally, resulting in HARMONY FIRE being taken out onto SERGEANT PEPPER, causing both those horses to race tight between WINE AND WINE and STOLTZ. In this incident, WINE AND WINE became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by HARMONY FIRE. C Wong was advised that whilst WINE AND WINE did not shift a great deal of ground in this incident, nonetheless he must make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course. Passing the 200 Metres, GOLD MARQUIS shifted out under pressure. Approaching the 100 Metres, WINE AND WIND raced tight inside HARMONY FIRE. A veterinary inspection of SERGEANT PEPPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPECIAL M and STOLTZ were sent for sampling.