16/01/2019  Happy Valley  Race 1

ISHVARA shifted out at the start and inconvenienced GARLIC YEAH. MANAGEMENT STAR began awkwardly and bumped the outside of its barrier stall, resulting in the horse losing ground. MANAGEMENT STAR was then ridden along in the early stages to make up lost ground and near the 2000 Metres commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of CLEMENT LEGEND. When being checked away from CLEMENT LEGEND, MANAGEMENT STAR shifted out and bumped SMART BABY. After this, MANAGEMENT STAR continued to prove very difficult to settle and after being awkwardly placed behind CLEMENT LEGEND for some distance was shifted to the outside of that horse near the 1900 Metres and allowed to improve its position into the lead passing the 1600 Metres. SMART BABY and HAPPY ROCKY were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1200 Metres, HAPPY ROCKY and SMART BABY raced tight as HAPPY ROCKY attempted to shift away from the rail. When unable to shift out, HAPPY ROCKY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD DAYS near the 1100 Metres. Passing the 400 Metres, GOOD DAYS was crowded for room between CLEMENT LEGEND and ISHVARA (M L Yeung) which shifted out away from the heels of MANAGEMENT STAR before being shifted back in behind that horse. M L Yeung was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he exercises more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SMART BABY, Z Purton stated that he had to ride his mount along at periods during the race to prevent HAPPY ROCKY shifting out on its inside and taking SMART BABY wider. He said this resulted in SMART BABY becoming unbalanced at times and, in his opinion, was the principal reason for the horse not finishing off the race. A veterinary inspection of SMART BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ISHVARA had sustained wounds over the outside of the left hind cannon, fetlock and pastern. Before being allowed to race again, ISHVARA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MANAGEMENT STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CLEMENT LEGEND and GARLIC YEAH were sent for sampling.