26/06/2019  Happy Valley  Race 4

BULLISH BROTHER bounded in the air at the start and then became badly unbalanced when bumped by COMPASSION STAR which shifted in. When unbalanced, BULLISH BROTHER shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of LONDON MASTER which also became badly unbalanced. Then a short distance after the start, BULLISH BROTHER got its head on the side, shifted out and hampered COMPASSION STAR and CHEEKY BEE which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LE TERROIR near the 1100 Metres after being initially taken out by COMPASSION STAR. DR RESPECT shifted in at the start and bumped LE TERROIR. PRAWN YEAH YEAH and DR RESPECT were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, JUNZI was steadied a short distance after the start and shifted across behind runners. In the early part of the Straight, COMPASSION STAR had difficulty obtaining clear running and then was held up for a run from passing the 300 Metres until after the 250 Metres at which stage COMPASSION STAR was shifted to the inside of LE TERROIR. Then when improving between LE TERROIR and BULLISH BROTHER, COMPASSION STAR was crowded for room approaching the 100 Metres as a result of BULLISH BROTHER (C Y Ho) shifting out. In this incident, COMPASSION STAR bumped the hindquarters of LE TERROIR. C Y Ho was severely reprimanded and advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have reacted quicker than he did on this occasion to his mount shifting out under pressure. He was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Close to the finishing line, DOLLAR REWARD was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LONDON MASTER which shifted in under pressure. When questioned, Trainer C S Shum stated that as DOLLAR REWARD had not raced since 23 March 2019, he felt that the horse would be too fresh to be able to shift across behind runners in the early stages. He said the horse had barrier trialed in the lead up to tonight’s race and it had finished off the trial well when ridden in a forward position. He said he anticipated that LE TERROIR and BULLISH BROTHER would lead the race and he felt that from the horse’s wide barrier DOLLAR REWARD may be able to obtain a trailing position one out one back behind those horses. He said he felt that in the circumstances this would provide DOLLAR REWARD with the best opportunity to finish off the race. G van Niekerk stated that after being positive on DOLLAR REWARD in the early stages, the horse was left racing outside LE TERROIR which was being vigorously ridden to his inside near the 1100 Metres. He said he commenced to steady DOLLAR REWARD near the 1100 Metres to obtain a trailing position, however, DOLLAR REWARD was travelling too keenly and he was not able to shift the horse in behind LE TERROIR making the first turn near the 1000 Metres. He said he continued to try to steady DOLLAR REWARD, however, passing the 900 Metres the horse got its head up and raced keenly as he restrained it and when LE TERROIR crossed COMPASSION STAR after the 900 Metres, COMPASSION STAR took the trailing position behind that horse which resulted in DOLLAR REWARD being left racing wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of DOLLAR REWARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of BLISSFUL EIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BULLISH BROTHER, APPLAUSE and LE TERROIR were sent for sampling.