05/02/2020  Happy Valley  Race 8

SMOOTHIES and UNIQUE TREASURE began only fairly. TOP MILITARY shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MERIDIAN GENIUS which became unbalanced. TOP MILITARY was then steadied to obtain cover. From wide barriers, SUPER TURBO and SEVENTH SEA were also steadied in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, UNIQUE TREASURE got its head on the side and lay in away from MERIDIAN GENIUS. Approaching the 700 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was awkwardly placed behind MAGIC SUPREME. SEVENTH SEA lay in under pressure in the early part of the Straight. When questioned, K Teetan (FLYING GENIUS) stated that he was instructed, from the outside barrier, to ride his mount positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position. He said FLYING GENIUS began only fairly and he rode his mount along vigorously in the early stages, however, FLYING GENIUS did not muster speed as anticipated. He said as THIS IS CLASS and MAGIC SUPREME were able to obtain leading positions in the early stages without being ridden along, he felt that he would have had to make a lot of use of FLYING GENIUS in order to continue forward of MAGIC SUPREME to cross that horse to race outside THIS IS CLASS. He said he therefore attempted to obtain a trailing position, however, when FEARLESS FIRE maintained its position behind MAGIC SUPREME, this resulted in FLYING GENIUS racing three wide and without cover. He said he did give consideration to riding his mount along after the 900 Metres to establish whether he might be able to clear MAGIC SUPREME, however, he was aware that that horse was travelling strongly and as FLYING GENIUS was not travelling as well as he had hoped, he believed that he would have had to make a lot of use of FLYING GENIUS and therefore he felt that it was in the best interests of the horse to remain racing outside FEARLESS FIRE albeit in a three wide position without cover. A veterinary inspection of FLYING GENIUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THIS IS CLASS and MERIDIAN GENIUS were sent for sampling.