22/11/2017  Happy Valley  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that GENTRY had shifted its left front plate. This plate was readjusted after which the horse was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. SANGRIA was slow to begin. ARGENTUM was badly crowded for room on jumping between DUTCH WINDMILL and SUM WIN DRAGON which shifted out. In this incident, all three horses became badly unbalanced. From the outside barriers, VARA PEARL and GENTRY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. AMAZING FEELING began only fairly. AMAZING FEELING was then ridden along in an attempt to make up lost ground and passing the winning post on the first occasion was left racing wide and without cover. AMAZING FEELING was then ridden along passing the 1300 Metres to obtain a position outside the lead. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ARGENTUM and EMPIRE STAR raced tight. Approaching the 1300 Metres, EMPIRE STAR commenced to prove very difficult to settle and improved to be racing to the inside of CHARITY WINGS where there was insufficient room. EMPIRE STAR then was checked away from the heels of CHARITY WINGS for some distance approaching the 1200 Metres. Also approaching the 1300 Metres, SANGRIA got its head up when being checked away from the heels of DIAMOND LEGEND. After the 1300 Metres, SICHUAN BOSS got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of DUTCH WINDMILL. Approaching the 1000 Metres, GENTRY was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, EMPIRE STAR and SUM WIN DRAGON raced tight. Approaching the 500 Metres and again passing the 400 Metres, SANGRIA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DIAMOND LEGEND. Rounding the Home Turn, SANGRIA and EMPIRE STAR raced tight as SANGRIA shifted out to obtain clear running. Also rounding the Home Turn, ARGENTUM was bumped and taken wider by SICHUAN BOSS which shifted out from behind AMAZING FEELING to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, GENTRY shifted out away from EMPIRE STAR and was consequently awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUM WIN DRAGON. Then passing the 100 Metres, GENTRY was crowded for room between SUM WIN DRAGON which shifted in marginally and EMPIRE STAR which was taken out slightly by ARGENTUM. In this incident, EMPIRE STAR became unbalanced after making contact with GENTRY. After this, EMPIRE STAR and ARGENTUM raced tight. Close to the finishing line, SANGRIA raced tight outside CHARITY WINGS. When questioned regarding the performance of EMPIRE STAR, Z Purton stated that the tempo of the race did not suit his mount. He said after proving very difficult to settle near the 1300 Metres, EMPIRE STAR would not relax and travelled too keenly. He said because of this the horse was not able to finish off the race. He said although he was not able to properly test his mount after being awkwardly placed between GENTRY and ARGENTUM, the horse finished off the race only fairly at this time. He added whilst EMPIRE STAR was disappointing, he believed the circumstances of the race largely contributed to the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of EMPIRE STAR immediately following the race found that horse to have an epiglottic entrapment. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING FEELING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EMPIRE STAR, MULTIGOGO and CHARITY WINGS were sent for sampling.