03/07/2019  Happy Valley  Race 8

HAPPY DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of LITTERATEUR which became unbalanced. PERFECT MATCH shifted out at the start, resulting in NOT USUAL TALENT being crowded for room inside FAT TURTLE. After this, NOT USUAL TALENT was steadied and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1400 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT was awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of GREEN LUCK. After shifting in to race outside CIRCUIT GLORY, FAT TURTLE travelled keenly approaching and passing the 1200 Metres. Approaching the 1000 Metres, RIVET got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TURIN REDSTAR. Near the 250 Metres, ENRICHMENT shifted in away from the heels of TURIN REDSTAR and bumped HAPPY DRAGON which at this time was taken out marginally by MR SO AND SO. This resulted in HAPPY DRAGON and ENRICHMENT both becoming unbalanced. After the race, M Chadwick stated that after the 1100 Metres LITTERATEUR was left racing wide and without cover when FAT TURTLE shifted in to race directly outside CIRCUIT GLORY. He said he attempted to steady LITTERATEUR to allow PERFECT MATCH to cross and provide his mount with cover, however, LITTERATEUR commenced to prove very difficult to settle and he was unable to prevent the horse from improving its position to race outside FAT TURTLE approaching the 1000 Metres. When LITTERATEUR improved to the outside of FAT TURTLE after the 1000 Metres, PERFECT MATCH was taken wider. After this, LITTERATEUR travelled wide and without cover. Also after the race, G van Niekerk stated that after being fractious in the barriers, HAPPY DRAGON travelled satisfactorily until near the 500 Metres at which time the horse commenced to come under heavy pressure. He said despite being ridden along vigorously after the 400 Metres HAPPY DRAGON commenced to give ground. He said although his mount was inconvenienced near the 250 Metres, this did not affect the horse’s finishing position as HAPPY DRAGON was well beaten at this time. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RIVET immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, RIVET will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FAT TURTLE, NOT USUAL TALENT and MR SO AND SO were sent for sampling.