06/05/2020  Happy Valley  Race 6

KING’S EMINENCE began only fairly. DAY DAY RICH shifted out at the start and bumped JUMBO ENGINE which became unbalanced. When being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier after travelling a short distance, JUMBO ENGINE bumped with DAY DAY RICH. After being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position, VICTORY IN HAND was crowded for room inside FLYING GENIUS which got its head on the side and shifted in away from VERY SWEET ORANGE. This resulted in VICTORY IN HAND then being awkwardly placed behind FLYING GENIUS for some distance. Near the 700 Metres, BE READY was steadied away from the heels of VERY SWEET ORANGE which was steadied to allow LARSON to cross. VICTORY IN HAND made the turn near the 550 Metres awkwardly and shifted out away from the heels of FLYING GENIUS, resulting in VICTORY IN HAND and BE READY racing tight. After this, VICTORY IN HAND continued to be awkwardly placed behind FLYING GENIUS for some distance. Near the 450 Metres, KING’S EMINENCE brushed the running rail and became unbalanced. Near the 400 Metres, BE READY was steadied away from the heels of VERY SWEET ORANGE. Passing the 150 Metres, HANDSOME REBEL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRATEFUL HEART when being shifted to the outside of that horse after being disappointed for running between GRATEFUL HEART which shifted in and DAY DAY RICH. For the majority of the race, DAY DAY RICH travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, V Borges stated that he was asked to ride his mount along in the early stages to ensure that VERY SWEET ORANGE obtained a forward position. He said if the rider of another horse was intent on leading, he should allow that horse to lead and obtain a position to its outside rather than ride his mount aggressively in an attempt to either obtain or maintain the lead as VERY SWEET ORANGE would not be able to finish off its race. He said after riding VERY SWEET ORANGE positively in the early stages to obtain a prominent position, LARSON, which was racing wider, was also ridden along to obtain the lead and he believed that he would have had to ride his mount aggressively to attempt to cross FLYING GENIUS to his inside and hold the lead inside LARSON. He said he therefore elected to allow LARSON to cross VERY SWEET ORANGE near the 700 Metres and after this raced outside and behind LARSON. LARSON and FLYING GENIUS were sent for sampling.