16/11/2022  Happy Valley  Race 4

After being loaded into the barriers, the crossed nose band applied to RED IMPACT loosened, resulting in the horse being removed from the barriers so that the piece of equipment could be refitted. DARCI JOY shifted out at the start and hampered WONDER YEARS. From the outside barriers, PERFECT TO GREAT and MURRAY’S PARTNERS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, MANAGEMENT FOLKS was also steadied to obtain a position closer to the rail. After the 1600 Metres, SMILING TIME was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EZRA. Then approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SMILING TIME and PERFECT MARYKNOLL raced tight. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, SMILING TIME, which was travelling keenly, raced close to the heels of RED IMPACT. For some distance approaching and passing the 150 Metres, DARCI JOY and RED ELYSEES raced tight. Then near the 50 Metres, RED ELYSEES shifted out and bumped DARCI JOY. After the 100 Metres, PERFECT TO GREAT shifted out abruptly under pressure. When questioned, C L Chau stated that he was instructed to ride PERFECT MARYKNOLL positively in the early stages and it was anticipated that the horse would have enough speed to either lead the race or sit outside the lead. He said he was further instructed not to make too much use of PERFECT MARYKNOLL to obtain a forward position as at its last start the horse weakened noticeably after use was made of it for some distance in the early stages. He said after beginning well he rode PERFECT MARYKNOLL along to obtain a forward position, however, the horse did not show as much early speed as anticipated and he did not believe it would be able to cross runners more favourably drawn without having to be aggressively ridden. He said therefore after the 1700 Metres he commenced to steady PERFECT MARYKNOLL with a view to obtaining cover. He added that approaching the winning post on the first occasion PERFECT MARYKNOLL was left racing wide and without cover and as there was an opportunity to obtain cover behind SMILING TIME, he steadied his mount in order to obtain that position. He said PERFECT MARYKNOLL took some time to be able to be shifted behind SMILING TIME during which period PERFECT TO GREAT was able to improve its position to be racing to the inside of PERFECT MARYKNOLL. He said this resulted in PERFECT MARYKNOLL having to race wide and without cover throughout and further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of RED IMPACT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CIRCUIT ELITE and CHATER PINS were sent for sampling.