15/02/2023  Happy Valley  Race 5

SIX BEST FRIENDS, which was standing awkwardly in the barriers, was slow to begin. ISLAND SHINE was bumped on jumping by STAR ASCENSION which shifted in. SIGHT HERO and INFINITE POWER bumped soon after the start, resulting in SIGHT HERO then shifting in and making contact with SUPER VINCE shortly after. SIGHT HERO was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier. When caught wide in the early stages, SUPER VINCE was then shifted across behind runners approaching the 1000 Metres to obtain cover. WOOD ON FIRE was left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres. Near the 650 Metres, SIX BEST FRIENDS shifted out slightly and made contact with the hindquarters of SIGHT HERO, resulting in SIGHT HERO becoming slightly unbalanced and shifting in despite the efforts of its rider, Z Purton. A short distance later, SIGHT HERO then raced tight to the inside of WIND SPEEDER which then resulted in SIX BEST FRIENDS being crowded onto the running rail and having to be steadied. The Stewards were satisfied that the racing manners of SIX BEST FRIENDS by shifting out initially and making contact with SIGHT HERO were the principal reason for the interference and therefore no further action was taken. Near the 600 Metres, ISLAND SHINE made contact with the running rail when racing tight to the inside of SEE U AGAIN. Making the Home Turn, WIND SPEEDER was awkwardly placed on the heels of WOOD ON FIRE and was shifted to that runner’s outside on straightening. ISLAND SHINE was inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the Straight and near the 200 Metres proved difficult to shift to the outside of INFINITE POWER when racing tight to the inside of SIGHT HERO. Near the 200 Metres, SIGHT HERO became awkwardly placed behind STAR ASCENSION and was shifted to that runner’s outside to secure clear running. Over the final 100 Metres, SUPER VINCE raced tight to the inside of SUNNY AND GOLD. When placed under pressure in the Straight, INFINITE POWER lay in and proved difficult to ride out. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of Apprentice Y L Chung (VICTORY SCHOLARS), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ensure that he fully rides his mounts out to the finish of the race. After the race, H Bowman reported that he was able to obtain a forward position with cover on STAR ASCENSION in the early stages. He added that STAR ASCENSION had a tendency to race keenly in the early stages and after initially responding to his riding in the early part of the Straight was unable to finish the race off principally due to the manner in which it raced in the middle stages of the event. A veterinary inspection of STAR ASCENSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of INFINITE POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORY SCHOLARS, SEE U AGAIN and WIND SPEEDER were sent for sampling.