20/04/2022  Happy Valley  Race 9

LOYAL BABY began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped GIFT OF LIFELINE. ODE TO JOY began awkwardly. DR WINNING was crowded for room on jumping between TOTAL POWER and RED MAJESTY which shifted in. After this, from a wide barrier, DR WINNING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from wide barriers, TOTAL POWER and ROCKET SPADE were steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, LOYAL BABY was awkwardly placed behind CALIFORNIA SKY and then near the 900 Metres was checked away from the heels of that horse. After this, LOYAL BABY continued to travel keenly. Passing the 400 Metres, GIFT OF LIFELINE was held up behind LOYAL BABY. At the 300 Metres, TOTAL POWER and DR WINNING bumped as both horses attempted to improve into running between ODE TO JOY and TIANCHI MONSTER which shifted in. TOTAL POWER was then shifted to the outside of TIANCHI MONSTER after being disappointed for running between that horse and DR WINNING. DR WINNING was then held up for clear running and passing the 250 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of ODE TO JOY as that horse shifted out marginally when giving ground. DR WINNING then had difficulty obtaining clear running and approaching the 100 Metres was unable to obtain clear running after being disappointed between TIANCHI MONSTER and GIFT OF LIFELINE which shifted out. Because of this, DR WINNING was not able to be properly tested. Over the latter stages, C Y Ho (TIANCHI MONSTER) dropped his right rein. When questioned, C L Chau (RED MAJESTY) stated that he was instructed to ride his mount positively in the early stages from a wide barrier and obtain a forward position if possible. He said after riding his mount along out of the barriers, he formed the view that he would have had to do too much work on RED MAJESTY to clear runners to its inside as there were a number of horses being ridden to obtain forward positions. He said as a position behind PACKING AWARD was available to RED MAJESTY approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, he elected to take a trailing position behind that horse as he believed that this would provide RED MAJESTY with the best opportunity to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of TOTAL POWER and DR WINNING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GORYTUS and PACKING AWARD were sent for sampling.