26/06/2024  Happy Valley  Race 2

THE PERFECT MATCH (J253): No report. AMAZING RUN (H401): No report. ROARING BEBE (H105): Jumped only fairly and then was steadied when crowded shortly after the start between SO AWESOME and COSMO NAVIGATOR which shifted in. WINNING MONEY (J116): Bounded on jumping and lost ground. In the early stages then raced keenly and got its head up. Between the 150 Metres and the 50 Metres was held up for clear running between MULTIDARLING and COSMO NAVIGATOR which was giving ground. HAYDAY (H321): Sent for sampling post-race. COSMO NAVIGATOR (H156): On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to COSMO NAVIGATOR was refitted. Shifted in shortly after the start and was bumped. When questioned regarding his riding, A Hamelin stated that his instructions were to hold a forward position and if possible to race outside the expected leader HAYDAY. He said in the early stages when LAPRAS and SO AWESOME showed good pace to his inside, COSMO NAVIGATOR was obliged to race very wide and without cover on the first turn. He added that during this section of the race COSMO NAVIGATOR lay in which required him to take corrective action to prevent it from crowding runners to his inside and as a consequence he was unable to ride his mount forward with his usual vigour as he was concerned that COSMO NAVIGATOR may shift in. He further stated that when SO AWESOME held its position to his inside, he then elected to restrain his mount and obtain cover near the 800 Metres when he was of the opinion that COSMO NAVIGATOR was not showing sufficient pace to cross runners to his inside. After considering his explanation, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Hamelin were reasonable in the circumstances, however, he was advised, whenever possible, he should endeavour to ride his mounts in a manner to comply with the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FAST AS ROCKET (H375): No report. HERCULES (C476): Jumped awkwardly. Near the 250 Metres was shifted to the outside of FAST AS ROCKET to continue into clear running. GIMME FIVE (J099): Sent for sampling post-race. SO AWESOME (D258): When questioned, Y L Chung stated that his instructions were to hold an on-pace position and to obtain cover if possible. He said in the early stages when positioned to the outside of LAPRAS, he was of the opinion that he would have had to severely restrain his mount to obtain a trailing position behind that runner and as a consequence he elected to remain positioned to its outside. He said entering the Back Straight he had expected LAPRAS to attempt to look for cover and as a result he then encouraged his mount forward to cross that runner. He added when SO AWESOME did not show sufficient pace to cross LAPRAS, he was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. LAPRAS (H374): No report. MULTIDARLING (H148): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.