20/03/2019  Happy Valley  Race 1

As the start was effected, BINGO HERO lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, BINGO HERO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. LIGHTNING MISSILE shifted in at the start and bumped MEGATRON. After this, from a wide barrier, LIGHTNING MISSILE was steadied and shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, GOLDEN CANNON was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LIGHTNING MISSILE raced close to the heels of NEVER BETTER. Approaching the 200 Metres, GOLDEN CANNON and ROMANTIC JOURNEY raced tight. Then near the 150 Metres, ROMANTIC JOURNEY was bumped by GOLDEN CANNON (C Y Ho) which shifted to the outside of MEGATRON. GOLDEN CANNON then continued to shift out, resulting in ROMANTIC JOURNEY being hampered. C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care. After the race, M Harley stated that whilst he had to make some use of MEGATRON in the early stages to obtain a forward position, the horse then settled well after shifting in to race outside the leader LUCKY STORM approaching the 1300 Metres. He said MEGATRON then travelled comfortably, however, came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres. He said rounding the Home Turn MEGATRON made an abnormal breathing noise and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MEGATRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, MEGATRON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of NEVER BETTER, S de Sousa stated that in the early stages he was able to obtain a good position, however, approaching the 1200 Metres was taken back in the field somewhat by ROMANTIC JOURNEY. He said after this NEVER BETTER travelled only fairly and then when the pace of the race quickened the horse did not show a turn of foot. He said after being shifted to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn, NEVER BETTER, despite being ridden out, did not finish off the race and was disappointing. He added NEVER BETTER felt "flat” in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of NEVER BETTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, it was reported that SHOWING CHARACTER was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SHOWING CHARACTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY STORM, RIGHTEOUS MATE and BONITO were sent for sampling.