13/03/2019  Happy Valley  Race 8

VICTORY MACHINE began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. Shortly after the start, ALCARI shifted out and bumped FAT TURTLE. From wide barriers, VERY LUCKY and JOYFUL UNION were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, ALCARI was momentarily steadied away from the heels of FAT TURTLE which got its head on the side and lay in. After the 900 Metres, BALLISTIC KING shifted in and bumped JOYFUL UNION. Passing the 100 Metres, JOYFUL UNION got its head on the side, shifted in and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPLIT OF A SECOND. Throughout the race, FANTASTIC FABIO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of CHEERFULJET in the early stages, Apprentice C Wong stated that he was asked to attempt to lead, however, he was instructed not to ride CHEERFULJET along to do so as the horse had previously raced keenly when ridden in this manner and because of this had not finished off its races. He said in the early stages he rode his mount positively without riding it along and he hoped that CHEERFULJET would have sufficient speed to cross runners to its inside. He said however that when FAT TURTLE maintained its position to his inside and outside LOVING A BOOM, this resulted in CHEERFULJET racing three wide and without cover. He said CHEERFULJET made the turn after the 1000 Metres awkwardly and although the horse maintained a slight margin over FAT TURTLE, he was reluctant to ride his mount along given his instructions not to do so. He added this resulted in CHEERFULJET racing three wide and without cover throughout the race and consequently weakened in the Straight. Apprentice Wong was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in not making more use of CHEERFULJET to attempt to clear FAT TURTLE given that CHEERFULJET had established a margin over that horse after the 1100 Metres and would not have been required to place undue pressure of his mount to cross FAT TURTLE. He was further told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that they do not cover unnecessary ground and are able to finish off the race as best as they can. A veterinary inspection of CHEERFULJET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that it was hoped that LOVING A BOOM would obtain a position with cover and it was felt that there was good speed in tonight’s race and the horse would race in a position either behind the leaders or in advance of midfield. He said LOVING A BOOM began well and he had to ride his mount along in the early stages, however, when the race was not run at a fast tempo in the early stages, LOVING A BOOM was left racing inside FAT TURTLE which in turn was racing inside CHEERFULJET. He said given the tempo of the race in the early stages, he believed that he would have had to restrain LOVING A BOOM too heavily to obtain a trailing position behind FAT TURTLE and therefore LOVING A BOOM was left racing in the lead which was not expected. He said LOVING A BOOM races best when with cover and after being required to lead, it did not finish off its race. A veterinary inspection of LOVING A BOOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo (BALLISTIC KING) stated that from the outside barrier he was asked to ride the horse quietly in the early stages as it was believed that tonight’s race would be run at a good tempo. He said in its most recent trial BALLISTIC KING had been ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position and then weakened over the latter stages of the trial. He said it was felt that if BALLISTIC KING were to be ridden along in the early stages from the wide barrier, the horse may be left racing wide and without cover and accordingly would not be able to finish off its race. He added in accordance with his instructions he steadied BALLISTIC KING in the early stages to obtain a position with cover outside JOYFUL UNION. He said he commenced to ride his mount along to obtain a position closer to the main body of the field after the 700 Metres and BALLISTIC KING improved into the race well to be racing behind FANTASTIC FABIO rounding the Home Turn. He said he immediately shifted BALLISTIC KING to the outside of FANTASTIC FABIO at the entrance to the Straight and when placed under pressure BALLISTIC KING finished off the race strongly. A veterinary inspection of FANTASTIC FABIO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FAT TURTLE and SPLIT OF A SECOND were sent for sampling.