09/11/2016  Happy Valley  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, Z Purton expressed concern regarding HAYMAKER’s action. HAYMAKER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who, after the necessary consultations, said the horse was suitable to race. YO-YO DA and ST YAZIN bumped on jumping. From the outside barriers, SHARP HUNTER, ALL MY GAIN and EXPEDITE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the first turn near the 1050 Metres, HAYMAKER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ST YAZIN. After the 900 Metres, ST YAZIN commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FORZA AVANTI which was racing close to the heels of WINNINGLI. ST YAZIN was then checked away from the heels of FORZA AVANTI passing the 850 Metres, shifted out and bumped FORMULA GALORE which became unbalanced and was taken wider. HAYMAKER, which was following, was checked away from the heels of FORMULA GALORE in consequence. Passing the 100 Metres, EXPEDITE was shifted out away from the heels of WINNINGLI to continue improving. Approaching the 50 Metres, FORZA AVANTI shifted out under pressure and brushed HAYMAKER. Throughout the race, PACKING PEGASUS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FORMULA GALORE, J Moreira stated that after his mount was bumped on a number of occasions by ST YAZIN passing the 850 Metres, FORMULA GALORE then commenced to travel keenly and because of this he was not able to steady the horse to shift in behind ST YAZIN. He said rather than continue to try and obtain this position, he elected to remain racing outside ST YAZIN as he was of the opinion that this may result in FORMULA GALORE being too far out of its ground. He said prior to the turn after the 600 Metres FORMULA GALORE came off the bridle and he had to ride the horse along for some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres in an endeavour to have it maintain its position. He added after shifting to the outside of PACKING PEGASUS after the 400 Metres, FORMULA GALORE gave a limited response to his riding, however, in the Straight was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race. Mr C Fownes, the trainer of FORMULA GALORE, was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of FORMULA GALORE as the horse had done particularly well since its last start success. He said he had checked FORMULA GALORE after the race and he was not able to identify any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of FORMULA GALORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FORMULA GALORE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FORMULA GALORE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of FORZA AVANTI, U Rispoli stated that after riding his mount along in the early stages to obtain a good position, FORZA AVANTI was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of runners after the 900 Metres when the tempo seemed to slacken marginally. He said however that after the 800 Metres FORZA AVANTI raced more kindly and he was happy with the manner in which the horse had travelled up to rounding the Home Turn. He said he placed FORZA AVANTI under pressure after the 400 Metres, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. He added whilst FORZA AVANTI may not have been suited by rising in class tonight, he suggested to the connections that they may wish to consider stepping FORZA AVANTI up in distance as the horse took some time to muster speed in the early stages and then over-raced and therefore a race over a slightly longer distance may allow the horse to travel better in the run than it did tonight. A veterinary inspection of FORZA AVANTI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FORMULA GALORE, SHARP HUNTER and YO-YO DA were sent for sampling.