16/01/2019  Happy Valley  Race 8

CALIFORNIA TURBO and GREEN LUCK bumped shortly after the start. From wide barriers, ACCLAIMED LIGHT, SPIRIT, HAPPY DRAGON and NORDIC WARRIOR were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HAPPY DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of SPIRIT (K Teetan) which shifted in when not properly clear. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, CALIFORNIA TURBO was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently allowed to improve its position closer to the rail after the 1000 Metres. Passing the 850 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON travelled keenly. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, CALIFORNIA TURBO came under pressure, shifted out and bumped BANK ON RED, causing both horses to become unbalanced. When CALIFORNIA TURBO shifted out, GREEN LUCK, which was following, improved quickly to be racing to the inside of that horse. Then passing the 500 Metres, CALIFORNIA TURBO, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily crowded for room between GREEN LUCK and BANK ON RED, both of which shifted slight ground. When CALIFORNIA TURBO lost ground in this incident, NITRO EXPRESS, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out, resulting in LET’S TAKE IT EASY also being hampered and taken wider. After this, CALIFORNIA TURBO gave ground noticeably and finished tailed out. The performance of CALIFORNIA TURBO was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA TURBO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA TURBO immediately following the race found that horse to have been struck into the right hind fetlock and stifle. Passing the 400 Metres, NORDIC WARRIOR raced in restricted room when improving into tight running between ACCLAIMED LIGHT and CALIFORNIA TURBO which continued to give ground. This resulted in NORDIC WARRIOR being steadied. SPIRIT, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the 400 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON improved into tight running between CALIFORNIA TURBO and LET’S TAKE IT EASY. Passing the 200 Metres, RELENTLESS ME raced tight inside GREEN LUCK which got its head on the side and lay in. Near the 150 Metres, HAPPY DRAGON, which was closing off the race, was directed to the outside of NITRO EXPRESS to continue improving. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SPIRIT had sustained a wound to the left hind fetlock. A veterinary inspection of LET’S TAKE IT EASY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BANK ON RED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. WARM THE VOICE and GREEN LUCK were sent for sampling.