20/02/2019  Happy Valley  Race 5

Shortly after the start, JOYFUL UNION shifted out and inconvenienced FALCON TURBO. In this incident, FALCON TURBO made contact with the hindquarters of JOYFUL UNION which became unbalanced. After the 800 Metres, BUOYANT BOY was left racing wide and without cover. From wide barriers, WILLIE WAY and HANDSOME REBEL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 100 Metres, DOUBLE VALENTINE momentarily raced tight inside LOVING A BOOM which shifted in under pressure. LOVING A BOOM then lay in over the concluding stages. When questioned, U Rispoli stated that, from barrier 9, he was asked to shift SHINING GEM across behind runners in the early stages as it was not believed that SHINING GEM would have sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to its inside, a number of which had shown some speed in their previous races. He said although SHINING GEM was able to take up a more forward position in a barrier trial since its most recent start, under race conditions, it was expected that it would not be able to display similar speed. He said after shifting SHINING GEM across behind runners, he urged his mount along after the 1100 Metres as SHINING GEM was becoming somewhat detached from the main body of the field. He said the pace throughout the race was very fast and, despite being ridden along, SHINING GEM was not initially able to make up ground to be racing closer to the runners in front. He said SHINING GEM was able to improve its position after the 600 Metres and he followed HANDSOME REBEL into the Home Straight, however, neither HANDSOME REBEL nor BUOYANT BOY were improving their positon sufficient to take SHINING GEM into the race at this time and he therefore elected to shift to the inside of HANDSOME REBEL at the entrance to the Straight to continue improving. He added he then shifted SHINING GEM to the inside of FALCON TURBO near the 200 Metres and SHINING GEM then finished off the race well. When questioned regarding the performance of MIDNIGHT RATTLER, S de Sousa stated that the horse travelled well throughout the early stages in a trailing position behind the eventual winner SPEED VISION. He said MIDNIGHT RATTLER came off the bridle after the 700 Metres and then, despite being ridden out, was reluctant to maintain its position behind SPEED VISION. He said MIDNIGHT RATTLER came under heavy pressure after the 500 Metres and then was most disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. He added whilst the race was run at a fast tempo, other horses on the speed around MIDNIGHT RATTLER were able to finish in the placings whilst his mount was beaten by a considerable margin. A veterinary inspection of MIDNIGHT RATTLER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MIDNIGHT RATTLER, favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MIDNIGHT RATTLER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BEAUTY TIME was distressed. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY TIME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on FALCON TURBO at the request of Trainer D J Hall. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FALCON TURBO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BUOYANT BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. MIDNIGHT RATTLER, SPEED VISION and LOVING A BOOM were sent for sampling.