30/10/2022  Happy Valley  Race 1

JOY MASTER was slow to begin. MEDIC ELITE shifted in at the start and bumped FOXHUNTER WAY, causing both horses to become unbalanced. YOUNG EXPLORER shifted out on jumping and bumped GOLDEN FOUR which became unbalanced and shifted out, inconveniencing ERNEST FEELING. From wide barriers, FLASH FAMOUS and AMAZING NEWS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After initially being ridden along in the early stages, THIS IS CHARISMA, from a wide barrier, was steadied shortly after the start to obtain a position closer to the rail. After the 1600 Metres, MEDIC ELITE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FOXHUNTER WAY when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. MEDIC ELITE was again steadied passing the winning post on the first occasion to obtain cover behind JOY MASTER. Near the 550 Metres, FOXHUNTER WAY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of YOUNG EXPLORER and approaching the 400 Metres was inconvenienced when disappointed for running between YOUNG EXPLORER and AMAZING NEWS which shifted out from behind SURE WIN WIN. After the 400 Metres, AMAZING NEWS was very awkwardly placed behind ERNEST FEELING and was shifted to the outside of that horse which came under pressure. FOXHUNTER WAY, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of AMAZING NEWS in consequence when again disappointed for running between that horse and YOUNG EXPLORER. FOXHUNTER WAY was then shifted out away from the heels of YOUNG EXPLORER and in doing so bumped METHANE. GOLDEN FOUR, which was following METHANE, was hampered when having to be shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Throughout the race, METHANE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground gave ground and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of METHANE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of METHANE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, METHANE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, L Hewitson stated that rounding the Home Turn he shifted THIS IS CHARISMA out from behind FLASH FAMOUS and THIS IS CHARISMA quickened well. He said at the entrance to the Straight he commenced to shift THIS IS CHARISMA to the outside of ERNEST FEELING to obtain clear running which was available between that horse and AMAZING NEWS. He said as he was commencing to improve towards this run, AMAZING NEWS shifted in, resulting in the run no longer being available. He said THIS IS CHARISMA had improved its position quickly and at the same time ERNEST FEELING commenced to give ground abruptly which resulted in THIS IS CHARISMA, which was laying in, stumbling and losing a considerable amount of ground when severely checked away from the heels of ERNEST FEELING passing the 300 Metres. When struck from behind by THIS IS CHARISMA, ERNEST FEELING became unbalanced and lost its left hind plate. Further, when THIS IS CHARISMA was shifted in away from the heels of ERNEST FEELING, MEDIC ELITE was hampered in consequence. Whilst this incident was one of some significance, the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no rider error on the part of L Hewitson or any other rider, therefore no further action was required. A veterinary inspection of ERNEST FEELING and THIS IS CHARISMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SURE WIN WIN at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SURE WIN WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO and FLASH FAMOUS were sent for sampling.