09/03/2022  Happy Valley  Race 6

HAPPY MATADOR began only fairly. STAR OF WUYI shifted out at the start and bumped GLORIFIED FIRE. EXCELLENT PEERS shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SMART LEADER. After travelling a short distance, AUGUST MOON shifted out and bumped PEAK TO PEAK which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, STAR OF WUYI, GLORIFIED FIRE and EXCELLENT PEERS were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the 1100 Metres, STAR OF WUYI, which was being steadied to obtain cover, was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of MELBOURNE HALL which itself was being steadied to obtain cover behind COMMON ROOM. After the 1100 Metres, COMMON ROOM became unbalanced when racing tight outside the heels of HAPPY FAT CAT which was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 200 Metres, SMART LEADER was directed out away from the heels of MELBOURNE HALL (M F Poon) which shifted out. M F Poon was reprimanded and told to ensure that he exercises more care than he did on this occasion when shifting ground. Passing the 100 Metres, PEAK TO PEAK shifted in and bumped XPONENTIAL. XPONENTIAL then shifted out and inconvenienced PEAK TO PEAK. Close to the finishing line, AUGUST MOON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY QUALITY. After the race, R Maia stated that COMMON ROOM did not travel as well during tonight’s race as it did at its most recent start when the horse finished the race off strongly. He said COMMON ROOM was always off the bridle in tonight’s race and after being placed under pressure prior to the Home Turn then did not close the race off. A veterinary inspection of COMMON ROOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SMART LEADER and HAPPY FAT CAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PEAK TO PEAK, LUCKY QUALITY and XPONENTIAL were sent for sampling.