23/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 6

SEVEN HEAVENS, which was leaning on the inside of its stall as the start was effected, began awkwardly and then was crowded for room at the start between LYRICAL MOTION which was also slow to begin and BIG HAPPINESS which shifted out abruptly on jumping. HARMONY FIRE began awkwardly. Passing the 900 Metres, LIKE THAT raced tight inside SPECIAL M which was racing tight inside the heels of LIGHTNING STORM which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the pressure to runners on its inside. Passing the 700 Metres, BIG HAPPINESS raced in restricted room inside JOYFUL WIN which got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of LIKE THAT. Passing the 300 Metres, LIKE THAT raced tight inside SPECIAL M which got its head on the side and lay in. LIKE THAT then momentarily raced in restricted room between SPECIAL M and LIGHTNING STORM which shifted to the outside of WHIZZ KID. Passing the 200 Metres, LIGHTING STORM shifted out away from WHIZZ KID which also shifted out under pressure. SPECIAL M (V Borges), which was following LIGHTNING STORM, got its head on the side and shifted out as LIGHTNING STORM shifted ground, resulting in JOYFUL WIN, which was commencing to improve to the outside of SPECIAL M, being taken out, resulting in BIG HAPPINESS having to shift out away from JOYFUL WIN which caused SEVEN HEAVENS to be checked away from the heels of BIG HAPPINESS. Whilst the Stewards were of the opinion that a number of horses were shifting ground at this time which resulted in SEVEN HEAVENS being hampered, nonetheless V Borges was told to ensure that he reacts quicker to his mounts shifting ground than he did on this occasion. After the race, V Borges stated that after being required to race wide and without cover throughout the race, SPECIAL M was then not able to finish the race off over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SPECIAL M immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AWESOME TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WHIZZ KID and LIGHTNING STORM were sent for sampling.