20/11/2019  Happy Valley  Race 4

THOU SHALL SING began only fairly. RIGHTEOUS MATE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SPEEDY WALLY. SPEEDY WALLY and RIGHTEOUS MATE were then steadied to obtain cover from wide barriers. Also from the outside barriers, PLAY WISE and DARE TO DREAM were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. After being crossed by STARLIT KNIGHT after the 1300 Metres, INDIGENOUS STAR travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind that horse. Approaching the 1200 Metres, DOR DOR was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of DREAM WARRIORS which shifted away from the rail. At the entrance to the Straight, SPEEDY WALLY was shifted in to avoid ELECTRIC LIGHTNING which was giving ground abruptly. Passing the 50 Metres, THOU SHALL SING was awkwardly placed outside the heels of STARLIT KNIGHT M F Poon (PLAY WISE) was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where appropriate circumstances permit. When questioned, S de Sousa stated it was explained to him that at its last start DREAM WARRIORS had weakened after travelling too keenly during the race. He said therefore he was asked to ensure that DREAM WARRIORS relaxed in tonight’s race and it was felt that STARLIT KNIGHT would lead the race which would provide DREAM WARRIORS with the opportunity to obtain a trailing positon behind that horse. He said DREAM WARRIORS began satisfactorily, however, did not show as much early speed as anticipated. He said he was reluctant to ride his mount along given the advice that it travelled too keenly at its last start and for this reason DREAM WARRIORS travelled slightly further back in the field than had been intended. After the race, Z Purton was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of STARLIT KNIGHT. He said the horse travelled satisfactorily, however, did not quicken at the top of the Straight as he anticipated and then over the concluding stages was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. A veterinary inspection of STARLIT KNIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING, L Hewitson stated that he had to make a similar amount of use of the horse in the early stages tonight that he did last time to obtain a forward position. He said after shifting in to race outside the lead after the 1300 Metres, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING relaxed nicely and travelled comfortably until after the 500 Metres at which time the horse came under pressure. He said he was concerned by the manner in which ELECTRIC LIGHTNING gave ground quickly rounding the Home Turn and by the early part of the Straight had already weakened noticeably. He added he rode ELECTRIC LIGHTNING along in the early part of the Straight, however, when the horse continued to give ground, he eased down on ELECTRIC LIGHTNING over the final 200 Metres as he felt that the horse may be experiencing internal issues. A veterinary inspection of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STARLIT KNIGHT, INDIGENOUS STAR and RIGHTEOUS MATE were sent for sampling.