26/04/2017  Happy Valley  Race 6

ISTANBUL BEY was slow to begin and then was steadied away from the heels of LAND GRANT which shifted out. NITRO EXPRESS and ENREACHING bumped on jumping. NITRO EXPRESS then shifted in, resulting in UNICORN being crowded for room outside CITY WINNER. From a wide barrier, TEN FLAMES was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HERO LOOK raced tight inside LAND GRANT which got its head on the side and lay in. ENREACHING lost its left front plate passing the winning post on the first occasion. ENREACHING travelled wide and without cover in the early stages and passing the 1200 Metres was allowed to stride forward into the lead. Passing the 1000 Metres, ACCLAIMED LIGHT was steadied away from the heels of HERO LOOK. CITY WINNER, which was following, was checked away from the heels of ACCLAIMED LIGHT as a consequence. HERO LOOK lost its right front plate after the 1000 Metres. After the 1000 Metres, UNICORN was shifted out and allowed to stride forward to obtain the lead passing the 750 Metres. Passing the 250 Metres, ACCLAIMED LIGHT was disappointed for running between UNICORN which was commencing to give ground and GOLDEN SLEEP which shifted in. ACCLAIMED LIGHT was then unable to obtain clear running until passing the 100 Metres and consequently was not able to be properly tested. Approaching the 200 Metres, TEN FLAMES was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of HERO LOOK which shifted out. Then passing the 150 Metres, TEN FLAMES was steadied when improving into tight running between NITRO EXPRESS and HERO LOOK which shifted out. In this incident, TEN FLAMES got its head on the side and shifted out marginally, resulting in NITRO EXPRESS racing tight inside ISTANBUL BEY. In the Straight, LAND GRANT lay in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. The declaration of weighed-in was deferred whilst Z Purton, the rider of MAGICAL BEAUTY, second placegetter, viewed the photo finish print. After viewing the photo finish print, The Stewards concurred with the Judge’s placings and accordingly weighed-in was notified on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. A veterinary inspection of NITRO EXPRESS confirmed the horse to be a “roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of ENREACHING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LAND GRANT, GOLDEN SLEEP and MAGICAL BEAUTY were sent for sampling.