13/03/2019  Happy Valley  Race 1

TRENDIFUL was withdrawn on 12.3.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PEACE ON EARTH (U Rispoli). Before being allowed to race again, TRENDIFUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DISTRICT EXPRESS began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of WINNING CIRCLE which became badly unbalanced. WINNING CIRCLE was bumped and taken out by LUCKY LUCKY which, after initially being bumped by BULLISH BROTHER, then shifted out away from that horse. After being bumped by LUCKY LUCKY, WINNING CIRCLE shifted out and made heavy contact with WISH COME TRUE which became badly unbalanced and shifted out, causing SHOW MISSION to be crowded for room. After this, from the outside barriers, SHOW MISSION and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY were shifted across behind runners. After travelling a short distance, HAPPY HAPPY was crowded for room between NASHASHUK and RAICHU which shifted in after being brushed by MONEY MARSHAL. In this incident, HAPPY HAPPY bumped the hindquarters of NASHASHUK which became unbalanced. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, MONEY MARSHAL got its head up and shifted out towards the heels of PEACE ON EARTH. MONEY MARSHAL again got its head on the side making the turn near the 550 Metres and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WINNING CIRCLE. Passing the 300 Metres, MONEY MARSHAL was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of WINNING CIRCLE which lay in. Passing the 100 Metres, DISTRICT EXPRESS was steadied away from the heels of MONEY MARSHAL which lay in. Close to the finishing line, MONEY MARSHAL was crowded for room between SHOW MISSION and LUCKY LUCKY which shifted in. LUCKY LUCKY was then directed out to relieve the tightening to MONEY MARSHAL and consequently was not ridden out close to the finishing line. In this incident, SHOW MISSION became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by MONEY MARSHAL. MONEY MARSHAL was also not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, WINNING CIRCLE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of DISTRICT EXPRESS, K Teetan stated that it was intended for the horse to be ridden in a forward position, however, due to the manner in which the horse began, DISTRICT EXPRESS was then required to race further back in the field than had been expected. He said DISTRICT EXPRESS did not travel strongly at any stage of the race and always appeared to be unbalanced in its action. He said whilst DISTRICT EXPRESS was inconvenienced passing the 100 Metres, the horse was well beaten at this time and had no bearing on its finishing position. He added DISTRICT EXPRESS was very disappointing that after being under pressure for the majority of the race then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of DISTRICT EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of DISTRICT EXPRESS, favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DISTRICT EXPRESS 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 LUCKY LUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DISTRICT EXPRESS, BULLISH BROTHER and HAPPY HAPPY were sent for sampling.