26/12/2019  Happy Valley  Race 4

MANAGEMENT STAR was slow to begin. EXALTATION began awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with the hindquarters of CHARITY WINGS which also received contact on jumping from CAMFORD MAGIC which shifted out. SUNNY DRAGON began awkwardly and got its head up on a number of occasions. From a wide barrier, GREAT SMART was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to allow FOREVER BRIGHT to cross at the 1100 Metres, SUNNY DRAGON got its head up repeatedly and raced ungenerously. Approaching the 1000 Metres, SUNNY DRAGON again got its head up when steadied away from the heels of FOREVER BRIGHT (L Hewitson) which steadied the pace after assuming the lead. L Hewitson was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that the racing manners of SUNNY DRAGON had exacerbated the incident, nonetheless in similar circumstances he must not steady the pace too abruptly. MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE, SUPREME PLUS, CAMFORD MAGIC and CHARITY WINGS, which were following SUNNY DRAGON, were all hampered in consequence. After ELECTRIC LIGHTNING improved to the outside of the heels of SUPREME PLUS approaching the 1200 Metres, that horse shifted out, forcing ELECTRIC LIGHTNING to race in a three wide position without cover. ELECTRIC LIGHTNING remained racing wide and without cover until near the 900 Metres at which stage MANAGEMENT STAR was left racing wide and without cover. FOREVER BRIGHT made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in ROYAL RACER being bumped and taken out onto MANAGEMENT STAR. The performances of CAMFORD MAGIC and SUNNY DRAGON, both of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CAMFORD MAGIC and SUNNY DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CAMFORD MAGIC and SUNNY DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, L Hewitson stated that in accordance with his instructions he rode FOREVER BRIGHT into a forward position from its outside barrier and assumed the lead after passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said however that after travelling relatively comfortably throughout the race, FOREVER BRIGHT came under pressure and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight. He said he had suggested to connections that at its next start FOREVER BRIGHT be ridden to obtain cover as the horse had performed much better at its previous start when able to race in a box seat from a good barrier. A veterinary inspection of FOREVER BRIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE immediately following the race found that horse to have locked its left stifle on cooling down. Due to this issue, MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE was unable to be scoped. Before being allowed to race again, MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE, MANAGEMENT STAR and CHARITY WINGS were sent for sampling.