31/05/2023  Happy Valley  Race 6

ORIENTAL SPIRIT, which sustained a minor abrasion to the right hock whilst being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. HIGH PERCENTAGE was slow to begin. ABOVE ALL jumped awkwardly. FLYING ON THE TURF shifted in at the start and bumped SOLAR PARTNER. From the outside barrier, YOUNG LIFE FOREVER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, CIRCUIT BOOMING was bumped by SPICY SO SMART which shifted out. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, SOLAR PARTNER commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from CIRCUIT BOOMING. Near the 600 Metres, HIGH PERCENTAGE, which was racing keenly, shifted out and bumped ABOVE ALL. HIGH PERCENTAGE had difficulty obtaining clear running making the Home Turn. For some distance approaching the 100 Metres, SOARING TOWER raced in restricted room to the inside of CIRCUIT BOOMING and could not be fully tested. Inside the 100 Metres, the whip of Apprentice Y L Chung (CIRCUIT BOOMING) became entangled in the rein of SOARING TOWER for a short distance, preventing Apprentice Chung from being able to use his whip during that section of the race. After the 100 Metres, YOUNG LIFE FOREVER was held up for clear running when endeavouring to improve into a narrow run to the inside of SPICY SO SMART which lay in. Approaching the 50 Metres, DIAMOND WINNER was held up when being shifted to the outside of WIND SPEEDER to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, HIGH PERCENTAGE and TRAVEL GOLF bumped due to both runners shifting ground. After the race, M Dee (ABOVE ALL) reported that he was instructed to hold a more forward position, but his mount failed to show sufficient pace to do so. He added that under pressure in the Home Straight ABOVE ALL did not finish the race off as expected and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of ABOVE ALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, Z Purton (FLYING ON THE TURF) advised that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride FLYING ON THE TURF in a conservative manner in the early stages. He added that FLYING ON THE TURF finished the race off fairly when asked for an effort in the Home Straight. Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection of FLYING ON THE TURF immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SOLAR PARTNER and HIGH PERCENTAGE were sent for sampling.