16/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 5

HAPPY PROFIT shifted in at the start and bumped UNIVERSAL GO GO. ETERNAL BLOOM shifted in at the start and bumped KILLER INSTINCT. ETERNAL BLOOM was then crowded for room between KILLER INSTINCT and BIRDSVILLE which was taken in by NOBLE DESIRE. After this, ETERNAL BLOOM was steadied to obtain cover. TREASURE OF FIELD shifted in abruptly at the start, resulting in SPLENDID STAR being crowded for room. SPLENDID STAR was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. Near the 1050 Metres, BIRDSVILLE was steadied away from the heels of NOBLE DESIRE (H Bentley) which shifted in when not properly clear. H Bentley was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides proper clearance in similar circumstances. When BIRDSVILLE was hampered, KILLER INSTINCT shifted in, resulting in PHENOMENAL COMBO getting its head up when being steadied away from the heels of KILLER INSTINCT in consequence. Approaching the 700 Metres, BIRDSVILLE and TRIPLE TRIPLE bumped as TRIPLE TRIPLE shifted out away from the heels of HERO STAR as that horse was being steadied to obtain cover behind NOBLE DESIRE. Also approaching the 700 Metres, ETERNAL BLOOM, which was having its first race start tonight, became unbalanced of its own accord. Near the 600 Metres, CIRCUIT BOOMING was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, BIRDSVILLE became unbalanced when tightened for room between CIRCUIT BOOMING and HERO STAR which made the turn awkwardly and shifted out. Approaching the 250 Metres, HERO STAR was bumped by TRIPLE TRIPLE which improved into tight running between that horse and NOBLE DESIRE. After the 200 Metres, SPLENDID STAR was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, KILLER INSTINCT shifted in and bumped CIRCUIT BOOMING. After this, both CIRCUIT BOOMING and KILLER INSTINCT lay in under pressure. Close to the finishing line, ETERNAL BLOOM, which was making ground, was shifted out away from the heels of HERO STAR and consequently raced tight inside NOBLE DESIRE. Because of this, ETERNAL BLOOM was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, Z Purton stated that, from barrier 8, he was of the opinion prior to the race that he would either have to ride BIRDSVILLE forward to clear runners to its inside or shift the horse across behind runners and as he believed that the latter option may result in BIRDSVILLE getting too far out of its ground, it was decided to ride the horse positively in the early stages and obtain a position in advance of midfield. He said after riding his mount along making the first turn, he was able to clear KILLER INSTINCT and obtain a position one horse off the rail after the 900 Metres. He said BIRDSVILLE travelled satisfactorily until passing the 500 Metres at which time it came under pressure. He added that he had to ride his mount vigorously at this time to prevent CIRCUIT BOOMING from improving its position around BIRDSVILLE which would have resulted in BIRDSVILLE being pocketed. He said whilst BIRDSVILLE responded satisfactorily enough to improve to the outside of TREASURE OF FIELD to prevent being held up for clear running, BIRDSVILLE then came under heavy pressure in the early part of the Straight and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race over the latter stages. He said based on the manner in which BIRDSVILLE failed to finish the race off tonight, he felt that it may be better suited by being ridden more quietly than it was in this race. A veterinary inspection of BIRDSVILLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PHENOMENAL COMBO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HERO STAR, KILLER INSTINCT and CIRCUIT BOOMING were sent for sampling.