12/07/2017  Happy Valley  Race 3

IMPERIAL SEAL began awkwardly and shifted out, inconveniencing GREAT JOY. SPINNING DANCER and AMBITIOUS HEART bumped shortly after the start. From the outside barriers, GIANT STARS and AMAZING GOLD were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, PEARL WARM WARM was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GOOD METHOD. Approaching the 1300 Metres, THE JAZZ got its head up when being steadied to allow GOOD METHOD to cross. In the early part of the Straight, SPINNING DANCER was held up behind WORKS OF ART which was giving ground. GREAT JOY was held up for a run in the early part of the Straight and was shifted to the outside of IMPERIAL SEAL to obtain clear running passing the 250 Metres. Approaching the 250 Metres, AMBITIOUS HEART was bumped by WAH MAY BABY which shifted in marginally. Over the final 150 Metres, AMBITIOUS HEART lay out under pressure. Throughout the race, WAH MAY BABY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong (GIANT STARS) stated that he had been instructed to attempt to give the horse clear galloping room in the Home Straight. He said as tonight’s race was being conducted on the A course, he felt that he may have difficulty securing uninterrupted running were he to continue to make a run on the inside of horses at the entrance to the Straight and as GREAT JOY, which he expected to be a strong chance, was being shifted to the outside of runners to make its finishing run, he elected to shift out with that horse so that GIANT STARS would be able to make its run towards the outside of the field. He said this resulted in GIANT STARS only momentarily having difficulty obtaining clear running shortly after the 300 Metres. After the race, B Prebble stated that WORKS OF ART became unbalanced in its action shortly after entering the Straight when giving ground abruptly. He said for this reason he eased the horse down over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of WORKS OF ART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, WORKS OF ART will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AMBITIOUS HEART, IMPERIAL SEAL and GREAT JOY were sent for sampling.