21/03/2018  Happy Valley  Race 6

ASSOCIATION FANS was checked on jumping when badly crowded for room between SPARKLING SWORD which shifted out and MR KOOL which was taken in by TRIUMPHAL WIN which shifted in. In this incident, MR KOOL became badly unbalanced. After this, SPARKLING SWORD was ridden along, however, took some time to muster speed. After being placed in the barriers, I’M A WITNESS was fractious and then as the start was effected lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. From the outside barriers, ULTIMATE DREAM and SICHUAN BOSS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, both MY BLESSING and BO DUKE failed to muster speed. Then passing the winning post on the first occasion, MY BLESSING was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead, however, continued to race wide and without cover. BO DUKE travelled wide and without cover until after the 1100 Metres. Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, ASSOCIATION FANS got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind SPARKLING SWORD. Throughout the race, TRIUMPHAL WIN hung in and proved difficult to ride, particularly in the Home Straight when the horse was not able to be tested. The racing manners of TRIUMPHAL WIN were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHAL WIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. When questioned regarding the performance of SICHUAN BOSS, T Berry stated that although he was obliged to race three wide throughout the race, he at all times had cover. He said whereas last start when the horse was successful after travelling well throughout the race, SICHUAN BOSS did not travel as strongly in tonight’s race and came under pressure passing the 600 Metres. He said after this SICHUAN BOSS was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SICHUAN BOSS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, J Moreira reported that whilst it had been intended for FORMULA GALORE to take up a forward position, it had not been intended for the horse to lead. He said the circumstances of the race in the early stages resulted in FORMULA GALORE having to lead the race with the horse travelling satisfactorily throughout the early and middle stages. He said however when placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight FORMULA GALORE did not respond as he anticipated it would and gave ground over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of FORMULA GALORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, A Sanna reported that ASSOCIATION FANS did not travel well at any stage and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of ASSOCIATION FANS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. MR KOOL and LUCKY TIME were sent for sampling.