28/06/2023  Happy Valley  Race 8

IVY LEAGUE shifted out at the start and bumped LOYAL BABY. ZONE D jumped only fairly. NOT USUAL STAR jumped awkwardly and lost ground. From outside barriers, THE HULK and OUR LUCKY GLORY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1400 Metres, NOT USUAL STAR raced tight to the inside of QUANTUM PATCH when that runner shifted in and away from THE HULK. Near the 600 Metres, IVY LEAGUE brushed the running rail. Approaching the 500 Metres, ZONE D raced tight to the inside of THE HULK. LOYAL BABY hung in in the early part of the Home Straight. Near the 300 Metres, RISING FROM ASHES was shifted to the inside of LOYAL BABY to secure clear running. Over the concluding stages, STAR CONTACT lay in and when being corrected by its rider, H Bowman, to avoid crowding RISING FROM ASHES, STAR CONTACT could not be ridden out to the finish of the event. TOP TOP TEA raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, L Currie (THE HULK) stated that with the anticipated genuine early pace, from a wider barrier, he was asked to ride THE HULK in a conservative manner in the early stages to avoid racing wide. Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection of THE HULK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, Z Purton (SO WE JOY) reported that although his mount was able to obtain cover, he was obliged to race three wide and when placed under pressure in the Home Straight SO WE JOY lay in and finished the race off only fairly. A veterinary inspection of SO WE JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, M Chadwick (LOYAL BABY) could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance of his mount. A veterinary inspection of LOYAL BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OUR LUCKY GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SO WE JOY, SPLENDID LIVING and QUANTUM PATCH were sent for sampling.