15/04/2020  Happy Valley  Race 1

STARLOT was very slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, STARLOT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE and CHARITYDREAM bumped at the start. GLORIAM shifted out at the start and inconvenienced V CHEVALIERS. BREAK RECORD and NITRO EXPRESS bumped at the start. From wide barriers, THE FULL BLOOM and ROCKAGE were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1200 Metres and again making the turn near the 1000 Metres, ROCKAGE got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 500 Metres, MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE raced close to the heels of HUMBLE STEED. THE FULL BLOOM was held up for clear running from on straightening until near the 250 Metres. Approaching the 300 Metres, GLORIAM and BREAK RECORD made contact. After the 250 Metres, GALAXY RACER raced tight inside CHARITYDREAM which got its head on the side and lay in away from VIRTUS STAR. After this, CHARITYDREAM, when giving ground, continued to lay in. Passing the 200 Metres, STARLOT was shifted to the inside of MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE after being disappointed for running between that horse and GLORIAM, both of which shifted ground. STARLOT was then directed in away from the heels of CHARITYDREAM near the 150 Metres. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of V Borges (ROCKAGE), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned, A Hamelin stated that, in his opinion, the disappointing performance of BREAK RECORD could be attributed to the fact that it was required to travel three wide and without cover throughout the race. He said he could detect no abnormalities with the horse after the race, however, after coming under pressure passing the 500 Metres BREAK RECORD commenced to give ground rounding the Home Turn and then weakened noticeably in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of BREAK RECORD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BREAK RECORD, a last start winner and which finished last in tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BREAK RECORD 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 GLORIAM immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of CHARITYDREAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VIRTUS STAR, HUMBLE STEED, NITRO EXPRESS and V CHEVALIERS were sent for sampling.