15/10/2025  Happy Valley  Race 2

SAMARKAND (H070): Shortly after the start got its head up, shifted out and was bumped. NORTHERN BEAST (H233): Sent for sampling post-race. CHAIN OF GOLD (J138): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Sent for sampling post-race. WITHOUT DELAY (K262): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. Before being allowed to race again, WITHOUT DELAY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MASSIVE FIRE (K466): Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced. GLORIOUS JOURNEY (J137): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the Home Turn was unable to continue forward when disappointed for clear running between PRINCE ALEX and CHAIN OF GOLD. As a result GLORIOUS JOURNEY was then shifted to the inside of PRINCE ALEX near the 300 Metres to continue into clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres GLORIOUS JOURNEY then had difficulty obtaining clear running when held up behind METAL KING and was then shifted to the inside of METAL KING to obtain clear running. PRINCE ALEX (G307): Near the 200 Metres raced tight to the inside of CHAIN OF GOLD. METAL KING (K135): Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced. Near the 950 Metres was steadied to avoid HANDSOME BOMB when racing keenly. NO OTHER CHOICE (K049): No report. CELTIC TIMES (G230): Bumped shortly after the start. When questioned regarding the improved performance of CELTIC TIMES Trainer K L Man stated that the horse had not raced at the Happy Valley track for a considerable period of time. He added at its last start at Happy Valley over the same distance the horse performed well and he attributed tonight’s improved performance to CELTIC TIMES appreciating racing at the Happy Valley circuit. Sent for sampling post-race. PERPETUAL POWER (J326): After travelling a short distance was crowded for room between CELTIC TIMES and SAMARKAND which got its head up and shifted out. HANDSOME BOMB (H402): After the event A Atzeni stated that he was able to obtain a position with cover in the early stages behind NO OTHER CHOICE with the pace of the event being run inside of standard time. He said entering the Back Straight approaching the 900 Metres he felt the pace of the event eased and as his mount had a light weight he elected to shift out and ride forward to cross NO OTHER CHOICE. He said when NO OTHER CHOICE then held its position to his inside for some distance he was obliged to make further use of HANDSOME BOMB to cross that runner. He further stated that entering the Home Straight HANDSOME BOMB then finished the race off only fairly. After considering his explanation and taking into account the sectional times of the event which confirmed his evidence that the pace between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres had eased, the tactics he adopted were found to be reasonable in the circumstances. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Noted to have lost its right front plate after the race.