22/02/2023  Happy Valley  Race 3

LEGION OF MERIT was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, LEGION OF MERIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. IRON WILL jumped awkwardly . HAPPY WON and TURIN WARRIOR bumped at the start. From the outside barriers, RIGHT AS RAIN and NOBLE STEED were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1400 Metres, RED ELYSEES raced tight for a short distance to the inside of TURIN WARRIOR which was being shifted in to obtain cover and became awkwardly placed on the heels of IRON WILL. When the pace steadied passing the 1200 Metres, RED ELYSEES commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of IRON WILL. RIGHT AS RAIN raced keenly in the early stages and near the 1200 Metres bumped RED ELYSEES which was also racing keenly. When caught wide in the early stages, RIGHT AS RAIN was allowed to stride forward by its rider Z Purton passing the 1000 Metres where it assumed a position outside the lead passing the 700 Metres. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of C L Chau (GANG OF BROTHERS), 4th 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. When questioned regarding RAINBOW LIGHT being ridden conservatively from its wide barrier, A Hamelin stated that he was given specific instructions to shift his mount across in the early stages to ensure that it obtained cover as the connections were of the view that there was sufficient speed drawn inside to warrant such instructions. A veterinary inspection of RAINBOW LIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, S De Sousa reported that TURIN WARRIOR travelled strongly throughout the early and middle stages of the event. He said when asked for an effort making the Home Turn TURIN WARRIOR responded only fairly to his riding and raced in a disappointing manner when he continued to place it under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of TURIN WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, L Hewitson (ARIEL) reported that his mount was inclined to hang in when placed under pressure in the Straight. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on YOUNG LIFE FOREVER at the request of Trainer C Fownes. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, YOUNG LIFE FOREVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHT AS RAIN, AMAZING BOY and IRON WILL were sent for sampling.