18/01/2023  Happy Valley  Race 4

Just prior to the start being effected, CORDYCEPS ONE turned its head to the left, resulting in CORDYCEPS ONE beginning awkwardly and losing ground. TELECOM SPEED shifted in at the start and bumped FARIBAULT. KING OF THE COURT began awkwardly and bumped the outside of its gate, resulting in KING OF THE COURT losing ground. KING OF THE COURT was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages. ISLAND SURPRISE shifted out at the start and bumped HERCULES which was then shifted across behind runners. FORTUNE CARRIER shifted in on jumping and bumped SUPER VINCE. Then from a wide barrier, SUPER VINCE was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. After the 900 Metres, FORTUNE CARRIER raced wide and without cover. Passing the 600 Metres, FLYING ON THE TURF and FARIBAULT raced tight as FARIBAULT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COLONEL. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, KING OF THE COURT raced tight inside CORDYCEPS ONE which got its head on the side and lay in away from FORTUNE CARRIER despite the efforts of its rider. For some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres, KOKUSHI MUSOU and TELECOM SPEED raced very tight as TELECOM SPEED attempted to improve into running between KOKUSHI MUSOU and FARIBAULT which was not available. This resulted in TELECOM SPEED racing very close to the heels of FARIBAULT and being steadied away from behind that horse approaching the 400 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, COLONEL lay in and was reluctant to improve to the outside of YOUNG HORIZON. Passing the 300 Metres, FARIBAULT raced tight inside FLYING ON THE TURF and after racing in restricted room between that horse and ISLAND SURPRISE, which commenced to give ground, was then shifted to the outside of FLYING ON THE TURF near the 200 Metres to obtain clear running. SUPER VINCE was unable to obtain clear running for the majority of the Home Straight and because of this was not able to be tested. Over the concluding stages, KING OF THE COURT was held up for clear running behind COLONEL and because of this was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. After the race, S De Sousa reported that ISLAND SURPRISE was disappointing in tonight’s race. He said unlike at its most recent start when the horse travelled strongly, ISLAND SURPRISE was always off the bridle in tonight’s race. He said after making use of ISLAND SURPRISE to obtain a forward position, the horse travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages, however, came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of ISLAND SURPRISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE CARRIER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLYING ON THE TURF and KOKUSHI MUSOU were sent for sampling.