28/06/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

RESOLUTE shifted in at the start and bumped SMOKEY BEAR. SMOKEY BEAR then shifted in, resulting in PARTY WARRIOR being crowded for room outside GORGEOUS VITALITY which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by PARTY WARRIOR. SUPER AXIOM began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, PROUD DRAGON and MODEST GENTLEMAN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 850 Metres, WINE AND WINE shifted in away from HARMONY N BLESSED and brushed the running rail. WINE AND WINE then raced tight inside HARMONY N BLESSED which got its head on the side and lay in away from SUPER AXIOM. Approaching the 600 Metres, PARTY WARRIOR was bumped by SPECIAL M which shifted out away from the heels of WINE AND WINE. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, RESOLUTE was awkwardly placed behind GORGEOUS VITALITY. Near the 450 Metres, JOYFUL WIN raced tight outside WINE AND WINE which shifted to the outside of HARMONY N BLESSED. Then approaching the 250 Metres, JOYFUL WIN shifted in and inconvenienced WINE AND WINE. When questioned, Z Purton (GORGEOUS VITALITY) stated that it was felt that JOYFUL WIN, which was drawn inside GORGEOUS VITALITY, would have more speed than his mount if that horse began well and therefore he should obtain a position behind JOYFUL WIN if possible. He said however that he was asked to be positive on GORGEOUS VITALITY out of the barriers in the event that JOYFUL WIN happened to miss the start as this would provide GORGEOUS VITALITY with the opportunity to possibly obtain a position in front of that horse. He said when JOYFUL WIN began well, he immediately commenced to steady GORGEOUS VITALITY to obtain a trailing positon behind that horse. He said as it took him some time to be able to position GORGEOUS VITALITY to shift across behind JOYFUL WIN, this allowed PARTY WARRIOR the opportunity to improve its position inside GORGEOUS VITALITY which resulted in his mount having to race outside that horse. He said rather than racing in a three wide position without cover, he elected to attempt to obtain a position with cover behind PARTY WARRIOR which resulted in GORGEOUS VITALITY racing further back in the field than had been intended. He added that after being shifted to the outside of PARTY WARRIOR in the early part of the Straight, GORGEOUS VITALITY then finished the race off strongly. A veterinary inspection of WINE AND WINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GORGEOUS VITALITY, EQUALETTA BLITZ and SUPER AXIOM were sent for sampling.