28/06/2023  Happy Valley  Race 6

SUMMIT CHEERS and YOUNG LIFE FOREVER bumped at the start. On jumping, TOGEPI shifted out, made contact with the hindquarters of WINNING DELAGO and became unbalanced. CHIU CHOW BROTHER lost its left front plate at the start. MODEST GENTLEMAN, STORMTROUPER and GOODLUCK GOODLUCK were badly crowded at the start between WINNING DELAGO and CHIU CHOW BROTHER which shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider, A Badel. AESTHETICISM was slow to begin. CHIU CHOW BROTHER raced keenly in the early stages when caught wide. TOGEPI blundered making the first turn near the 1000 Metres. GOODLUCK GOODLUCK raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Making the Home Turn, GOODLUCK GOODLUCK was briefly held up for clear running behind STORMTROUPER. After the 100 Metres, AESTHETICISM was shifted to the outside of CHEER FOR SOUTH to continue into clear running. Approaching the 50 Metres, TOGEPI raced tight to the inside of KING ECCELLENTE when improving into a narrow run to the inside of that runner. WINNING DELAGO raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event and subsequently finished tailed out. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING DELAGO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WINNING DELAGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding KING ECCELLENTE leading tonight, H Bowman stated that in a barrier trial conducted on 16 June 2023, KING ECCELLENTE wore blinkers and travelled strongly in that trial. He added tonight with KING ECCELLENTE wearing blinkers for the first time under race conditions, he was not given any specific instruction, however, if the pace was genuine, his preference was to obtain cover in an on-pace position. He said in the early stages he allowed KING ECCELLENTE to settle where comfortable and when wide approaching the first turn allowed his mount to stride forward to lead. He said entering the Back Straight he endeavoured to restrain KING ECCELLENTE to set a more sustainable pace, but with CHEER FOR SOUTH positioned to his outside, KING ECCELLENTE commenced to race keenly and despite his efforts to steady his mount in the middle stages set too strong a tempo which resulted in KING ECCELLENTE not being able to sustain a finishing effort. After the race, L Ferraris (SUMMIT CHEERS) stated that his mount enjoyed a comfortable run in the event, but was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUMMIT CHEERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FLYING ON THE TURF and GOODLUCK GOODLUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YOUNG LIFE FOREVER and TOGEPI were sent for sampling.