04/07/2024  Happy Valley  Race 9

NORDIC DRAGON (G467): For some distance near the 300 Metres was bumped by ASTROLOGER which attempted to shift out. Lay in in the Home Straight. WATCH BUDDY (H185): Approaching the 250 Metres was disappointed for clear running between GOLDEN EMPIRE and CALIFORNIA TOUCH and was shifted to the inside of GOLDEN EMPIRE where it obtained clear running after the 200 Metres. Sent for sampling post-race. ASTROLOGER (G102): Bumped shortly after the start. Approaching the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid WATCH BUDDY which shifted in when being corrected by its rider. In the early stages raced keenly and refused to settle and got its head up when being steadied away from WATCH BUDDY for some distance after the 900 Metres. Approaching the 300 Metres was held up for clear running and made contact with NORDIC DRAGON as it endeavoured to obtain clear running to the outside of CALIFORNIA TOUCH. When disappointed for this run, ASTROLOGER then did not obtain clear running for the remainder of the event and could not be ridden out to the finish. CALIFORNIA TOUCH (J051): Jumped awkwardly. GOLDEN EMPIRE (E490): Raced wide and without cover from the 700 Metres. LUCKY ARCHANGEL (E385): After the 1000 Metres was steadied and shifted out and away from GOLDEN EMPIRE which shifted out slightly. After the race, M F Poon stated that when caught wide in the early stages he was obliged to allow his mount to stride forward and lead the event. He said as a consequence of the use he had to make of his mount in the early stages LUCKY ARCHANGEL did not finish the race off in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEALTHY HEALTHY (H203): Over the concluding stages raced tight between ARMOUR EAGLE and WATCH BUDDY which shifted in slightly and as a result could not be ridden out to the finish of the event. After the race, A Badel reported that his mount was coughing during the running of the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY HEALTHY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Sent for sampling post-race. MIGHTY COMMANDER (J360): On jumping was steadied when crowded between YOUNG ARROW and WATCH BUDDY which shifted in slightly. Approaching the 50 Metres obtained a narrow run to the inside of YOUNG ARROW and raced tight to the inside of that runner over the concluding stages. NATURAL HIGH (J365): Approaching the 1000 Metres became unbalanced when buffeted for room between WATCH BUDDY which shifted out when being corrected by its rider and GOLDEN EMPIRE (L Hewitson) which shifted in. L Hewitson was advised to exercise more care. RIGHTEOUS ARION (H059): Near the 800 Metres was steadied away from ASTROLOGER and then raced keenly for some distance thereafter. YOUNG ARROW (J401): Crowded at the start. Noted to have lost its left hind plate after the race. ARMOUR EAGLE (G093): When commencing to finish the race off well near the 150 Metres raced tight between HEALTHY HEALTHY and LUCKY ARCHANGEL as it improved between those runners. Over the concluding stages then raced tight between HEALTHY HEALTHY and YOUNG ARROW. Sent for sampling post-race.