12/12/2018  Happy Valley  Race 8

DANCES WITH DRAGON and MAGNETISM were hampered on jumping by GOLD LAND which shifted out abruptly. On jumping, SKY MELODY was steadied to obtain cover. SLEEP EDUCATION and SICHUAN BOSS bumped shortly after the start. From wide barriers, MERRYGOWIN, HAR HAR HEART and SLEEP EDUCATION were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1300 Metres, RELENTLESS ME and SKY MELODY raced tight. Near the 50 Metres, LOOKING GOOD raced tight outside SKY MELODY. After the race, Z Purton (SKY MELODY) explained that passing the 500 Metres he was racing directly behind LOOKING GOOD which at this time was being ridden along. He said RELENTLESS ME, which was racing to the inside of LOOKING GOOD, was improving its position, he therefore elected to shift SKY MELODY in to follow RELENTLESS ME through rounding the Home Turn rather than shifting to the outside of LOOKING GOOD and having to cover extra ground. He said SKY MELODY improved its position well rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight he directed his mount to the inside of MY ALLY as a run did not present itself outside that horse and inside RELENTLESS ME. He said after shifting to the inside of SICHUAN BOSS, SKY MELODY was then held up for clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres when he was unable to improve between SICHUAN BOSS and GOLD LAND. He added he then shifted SKY MELODY to the outside of SICHUAN BOSS after the 150 Metres after which SKY MELODY raced tight outside SICHUAN BOSS over the concluding stages when that horse shifted out marginally. He said because of this he was not able to fully test SKY MELODY over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of SLEEP EDUCATION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. SKY MELODY, DANCES WITH DRAGON and MY ALLY were sent for sampling.