12/02/2020  Happy Valley  Race 8

PING HAI GALAXY shifted out at the start and bumped BEAUTY SPARK. COPARTNER SPIRIT began very awkwardly and lost ground and subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of COPARTNER SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of COPARTNER SPIRIT was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COPARTNER SPIRIT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. G van Niekerk (SHOUSON) explained that he was asked to ride the horse in a forward position. He said however that SHOUSON began only fairly and he felt that he would have had to do too much work from the wide barrier to obtain a forward position as instructed and therefore he elected to shift SHOUSON across behind runners to obtain cover. A veterinary inspection of SHOUSON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Approaching the 1100 Metres, PING HAI GALAXY raced in restricted room between DIAMOND BRILLIANT and BEAUTY SPARK which shifted in marginally. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, GREEN REIGN got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 400 Metres, SHOUSON was severely checked after attempting to improve between COPARTNER SPIRIT and FRESH POWER where there was insufficient room. Approaching the 300 Metres, CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT was inconvenienced when shifted out away from the heels of VICTORY IN HAND (A Badel) which shifted out. A Badel was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the improved performance of PING HAI GALAXY, Trainer J Size stated that, in his opinion, the horse’s performances had improved from race to race this campaign. He said although PING HAI GALAXY finished last at its most recent run, the horse was not beaten far after being required to race wide and without cover from the 800 Metres. He said PING HAI GALAXY was racing at Happy Valley for the first time tonight after not having previously trialed here and was able to obtain a good run behind the speed from the inside barrier. He said whilst he did not anticipate that PING HAI GALAXY would be able to win tonight’s race, given the strong composition of the field, he did anticipate that the horse would again race well. When questioned regarding the performance of WHAT A LEGEND, C Schofield stated that he was able to obtain a good run behind the speed and WHAT A LEGEND travelled very well. He said he shifted WHAT A LEGEND to the outside of CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT after the 500 Metres to make his final run as the horse had appreciated being ridden in this manner previously when successful. He said WHAT A LEGEND did not pick up as he anticipated rounding the Home Turn and after finishing the race off steadily after the 300 Metres gave ground over the final 100 Metres and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off. A veterinary inspection of WHAT A LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT, PING HAI GALAXY and DIAMOND BRILLIANT were sent for sampling.