22/04/2020  Happy Valley  Race 4

LIGHTNING STEED was withdrawn on 21.4.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter REGENCY GEM (M Chadwick). Before being allowed to race again, LIGHTNING STEED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WILLFUL, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin. REGENCY GEM and INVALUABLE bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, KING’S MAN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WHO’S HORSE which shifted in. From a wide barrier, SUNNY POWER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. In the early stages, from the outside barrier, CHARITY GRAND was steadied and shifted across behind runners, however, passing the winning post on the first occasion was left racing wide and without cover and near the 900 Metres was consequently allowed to improve its position, however, continued to race wide and without cover. Near the 1150 Metres, MIGHTY POWER commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind REGENCY GEM. Near the 750 Metres, REGENCY GEM was bumped and taken wider by SWOT TROOPERS WIND which shifted out from behind WHO’S HORSE. Approaching the 500 Metres, HAPPY ROCKY was awkwardly placed between WILLFUL and KING’S MAN which lay in. Over the concluding stages, INVALUABLE was disappointed for running between REGENCY GEM and SWOT TROOPERS WIND (M F Poon) which shifted in under pressure. Consequently INVALUABLE was not able to be fully ridden out all the way to the end of the race and M F Poon was restricted in his riding of SWOT TROOPERS WIND over the concluding stages as he attempted to prevent it from shifting in. N Callan (KING’S MAN) was spoken to regarding using his whip down the horse’s shoulder over the concluding stages. K Teetan (ELECTRIC LIGHTNING) was fined the sum of $30,000 for using the whip down the horse’s shoulder on three occasions in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of STAR MAJESTIC, CHARITY GRAND and WHO’S HORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ELECTRIC LIGHTNING and KING’S MAN were sent for sampling.