15/01/2020  Happy Valley  Race 6

WONDER WIN began very awkwardly, shifted out and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of MEHBOOB, causing that horse to become unbalanced and WONDER WIN to become badly unbalanced and lose ground. VICTORY IN HAND shifted out at the start and bumped CASA DE FORCA. CASA DE FORCA then lost ground when crowded for room between VICTORY IN HAND and WILD WEST WING which was taken in by ALL BEST FRIENDS. From the outside barrier, ALL BEST FRIENDS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, THE ABRAXAS was bumped by MEHBOOB which was taken out by FANTASTIC FABIO. THE ABRAXAS then became unbalanced, shifted out and bumped TRAVEL DATUK, causing THE ABRAXAS and TRAVEL DATUK to become unbalanced and TRAVEL DATUK to also lose ground. Near the 750 Metres, FANTASTIC FABIO became unbalanced when awkwardly placed behind GRAND HARBOUR. Near the 250 Metres, Apprentice K H Chan (LORIZ) dropped his whip. Approaching the 100 Metres, WONDER WIN and CASA DE FORCA brushed. Close to the finishing line, THE ABRAXAS raced tight inside WONDER WIN which was taken in by CASA DE FORCA. When questioned regarding his riding of CASA DE FORCA, T Piccone stated that from a wide barrier and racing over 1200 Metres, it was felt that CASA DE FORCA would not have sufficient speed to obtain a forward position and therefore he should shift CASA DE FORCA across behind runners in the early stages and obtain cover. He said after trailing ALL BEST FRIENDS after the 1000 Metres, his mount was out-paced and despite him niggling CASA DE FORCA along, he was not able to maintain his position behind ALL BEST FRIENDS. He said after the 900 Metres the margin between CASA DE FORCA and ALL BEST FRIENDS increased, however, he did not feel that CASA DE FORCA was travelling strongly enough to be able to improve its position and the horse got further out of its ground near the 600 Metres. He added at all stages he was niggling his mount along to have it improve its position and it was not until after the 300 Metres that CASA DE FORCA commenced to close off the race. He said after being placed under pressure in the Straight, CASA DE FORCA finished off the race strongly over the concluding stages. T Piccone was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, it was important to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from getting too far out of their ground so that they do not have too much to do. VICTORY IN HAND and MEHBOOB were sent for sampling.