08/02/2017  Happy Valley  Race 3

ARM RUNDA and DASHING POWER bumped at the start. RAY OF GOLD, which was slow to begin, was bumped shortly after the start by G-ONE LOVER which began awkwardly and shifted in. GRADE ONE shifted in at the start and bumped UNIQUE JOYFUL. RAINBOW FIGHTER began awkwardly and, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also TEN SPEED, from a wide barrier, was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the 1100 Metres, G-ONE LOVER raced tight between UNIQUE JOYFUL and BRIGHT STAR, both of which shifted a minimal amount of ground. Passing the 1000 Metres, GRADE ONE got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly before being shifted back out to relieve the tightening to ARM RUNDA. After this, ARM RUNDA got its head up and travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind GRADE ONE. Passing the 900 Metres, G-ONE LOVER shifted out away from the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. When G-ONE LOVER shifted out, the horse got its head on the side and shifted further, resulting in TEN SPEED being taken wider. Near the 650 Metres, BRIGHT STAR got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAPIDASH and then making the turn after the 600 Metres got its head on the side despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in DASHING POWER being inconvenienced. RAY OF GOLD, which was following DASHING POWER, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence and shifted out, resulting in RAINBOW FIGHTER racing in restricted room inside the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL. Near the 150 Metres, RAY OF GOLD got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure behind G-ONE LOVER, resulting in its rider, S de Sousa, having to stop riding and direct RAY OF GOLD back out from behind G-ONE LOVER to obtain clear running approaching the 100 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, RAY OF GOLD raced tight inside BRIGHT STAR. Over the concluding stages, G-ONE LOVER got its head on the side and proved difficult to ride. Throughout the race, SEE ME NOW travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, A Badel (G-ONE LOVER) stated that his mount, which was first up in tonight’s race, travelled greenly in the early and middle stages. He said after shifting out passing the 900 Metres, G-ONE LOVER improved to be racing behind SEE ME NOW. He said the pace of the race slackened at this time as SEE ME NOW did not appear to be improving into the race, he felt it was a better option to improve around that horse rather than be awkwardly placed behind SEE ME NOW. He said after shifting out into a four wide position and improving around SEE ME NOW after the 600 Metres, RAPIDASH, which was racing in advance of SEE ME NOW, shifted out which resulted in G-ONE LOVER being obliged to continue racing four wide rounding the Home Turn. He added that in hindsight he had erred in not remaining racing behind SEE ME NOW, however, he felt that the pace of the race at this time was the principal reason for shifting out. A Badel was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must not set his mounts too great a task so as to allow them to finish off the race as best as they are able. GRADE ONE, ARM RUNDA and RAY OF GOLD were sent for sampling.