05/10/2022  Happy Valley  Race 5

STAR OF WUYI, which had sustained an abrasion to its right hock whilst being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was suitable to race. STAR OF WUYI began only fairly and then was hampered by REGENCY POET which shifted out. STAR OF WUYI then became unbalanced and lost ground after shifting out and making solid contact with EUROMISSILE which also became unbalanced. This resulted in STAR OF WUYI racing back in the field tonight. FOXHUNTER WAY shifted out at the start and bumped THIS IS GUTS. After this, from wide barriers, both FOXHUNTER WAY and THIS IS GUTS were shifted across behind runners. Also from a wide barrier, RAGING BLAZE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, ENCORE got its head up and travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind EUROMISSILE. At the 250 Metres, FORTUNE MASTER brushed the running rail and was shifted out from behind WINS ALL after being disappointed for running inside that horse which was shifted to the inside of HANDSOME GUYS in an attempt to obtain clear running. When HANDSOME GUYS shifted in under pressure, this resulted in WINS ALL being held up for clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. After being disappointed for running, FORTUNE MASTER was then shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. In the Straight, RAGING BLAZE lay in under pressure. After the race, A Hamelin stated that it was hoped that CIGAR BUDDIES would be able to cross runners to its inside and lead the race. He said HANDSOME GUYS, which was drawn more favourably than CIGAR BUDDIES, showed more speed in the early stages and for this reason CIGAR BUDDIES was required to race outside that horse in the early and middle stages. He said when unable to lead the race outright, CIGAR BUDDIES did not travel as strongly as it had previously and then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of CIGAR BUDDIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF WUYI immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. FORTUNE MASTER, HAPPY GATHERING and EUROMISSILE were sent for sampling.