25/09/2019  Happy Valley  Race 7

SKYEY SUPREME began awkwardly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between MEGA HEART which shifted out marginally and LIGHTNING STAR (H W Lai) which shifted in abruptly when being ridden along. H W Lai was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that LIGHTNING STAR had shifted in abruptly with him, nonetheless in similar circumstances he must make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners. In this incident, MEGA HEART was also momentarily steadied away from the heels of LIGHTNING STAR. After this, both MEGA HEART and SKYEY SUPREME were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. SPLIT OF A SECOND was crowded for room on jumping between FEARLESS FIRE and TELECOM PUMA, both of which shifted ground. FANTASTIC FABIO lost its right front plate at the start. From a wide barrier, POWERMAX was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. HIGH REV was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. On two occasions approaching and passing the 800 Metres, MY ALLY got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of TELECOM PUMA which was also steadied to allow FANTASTIC FABIO to cross. MY ALLY lost its right hind plate after the 400 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, SPLIT OF A SECOND was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART LEADER which got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. Passing the 200 Metres, FANTASTIC FABIO shifted out towards TELECOM PUMA, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten FANTASTIC FABIO. When questioned, J Moreira (SMART LEADER) stated that, from barrier 4, he was asked to ride the horse behind the leaders if possible. He said it was anticipated that TELECOM PUMA and FANTASTIC FABIO would show sufficient speed to lead the race and it was felt that from the horse’s barrier there would be an opportunity to obtain a trailing position behind the speed. He said he rode his mount aggressively for some distance in the early stages, however, SPLIT OF A SECOND, which was drawn more favourably than SMART LEADER, was able to maintain its position and this resulted in SMART LEADER being left racing three wide making the turn near the 1000 Metres. He said after the 1000 Metres he observed that there was an opportunity available to obtain cover behind SPLIT OF A SECOND and he commenced to steady his mount with a view to obtaining that position. He said as he did this MY ALLY was steadied away from the heels of TELECOM PUMA which resulted in SPLIT OF A SECOND being awkwardly placed behind MY ALLY. He added due to these circumstances he was not able to steady SMART LEADER quickly enough to obtain a trailing position behind SPLIT OF A SECOND as MEGA HEART was able to improve its position to be racing behind that horse. He said this resulted in SMART LEADER being left racing in a three wide position and without cover. He said after being ridden out rounding the Home Turn, SMART LEADER, given the circumstances, finished off the race satisfactorily. A veterinary inspection of SMART LEADER 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 POWERMAX and SPLIT OF A SECOND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH REV, TELECOM PUMA and MY ALLY were sent for sampling.