19/10/2022  Happy Valley  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that WIN WIN CHARITY had blood at its mouth. WIN WIN CHARITY was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. TRIPLE TRIPLE stumbled on jumping. YOUNG LIFE FOREVER was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Also from wide barriers, SUCCESS FIGHTER and WIN WIN CHARITY were steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. When being steadied to obtain cover, SUCCESS FIGHTER shifted in shortly after the start and bumped HAPPY SOUL which became unbalanced. Passing the 1100 Metres, ISLAND SHINE shifted in and bumped EQUILIBRIUM TURBO. After the 800 Metres, HAPPY SOUL was left racing wide and without cover. EQUILIBRIUM TURBO was held up for clear running after the 400 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, EQUILIBRIUM TURBO was shifted out away from the heels of ISLAND SHINE to continue improving. EQUILIBRIUM TURBO then lay in towards the heels of ISLAND SHINE approaching the 200 Metres and was momentarily awkwardly placed outside that horse. EQUILIBRIUM TURBO then had difficulty obtaining clear running and passing the 100 Metres raced tight inside HAPPY SOUL when being shifted out away from the heels of TRIPLE TRIPLE which itself shifted out marginally under pressure. Passing the 150 Metres, ISLAND SHINE briefly raced in restricted room between TRIPLE TRIPLE and REGENT GLORY. HERO STAR shifted out under pressure approaching and passing the 100 Metres. When questioned, S De Sousa stated that he was instructed to lead on HERO STAR if possible tonight. He said he had to make some use of HERO STAR in the run to the first turn to clear REGENT GLORY to its inside and after shifting out to relieve some crowding to that horse near the 1000 Metres, he then allowed HERO STAR to improve forward of REGENT GLORY and obtain the lead after the 900 Metres. He said making the turn after the 600 Metres HERO STAR changed lead legs and quickened of its own accord earlier than he anticipated. He said rather than steady his mount, he allowed HERO STAR to roll forward in the hope that the horse would be able to obtain a break on the field rounding the Home Turn and then be able to finish the race off strongly enough to be successful. He added that HERO STAR quickened well in the early part of the Straight and it was only over the concluding stages that HERO STAR weakened, but was still able to stay on for second placing. S De Sousa was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in not holding HERO STAR up rounding the Home Turn rather than requiring the horse to make a sustained run from prior to the 500 Metres. He was further told to ensure that he rides his horses with the necessary judgement so that they can finish the race off as strongly as possible. A veterinary inspection of ABOVE ALL, REGENT GLORY and HAPPY SOUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MELBOURNE HALL and HERO STAR were sent for sampling.