10/06/2020  Happy Valley  Race 5

ARES was withdrawn on 9.6.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter COMPASSION STAR (J Moreira). Before being allowed to race again, ARES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STAR OF THEHARBOUR began awkwardly. FEARLESS FIRE shifted out at the start and bumped HONEST WAY. AMAZING got its head up on jumping and then was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY GOOD GUYS. After this, from a wide barrier, AMAZING was shifted across behind runners. WINNING TOGETHER began only fairly. A short distance after the start, HONEST WAY and DESTINE JEWELLERY bumped. Approaching the 1100 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was steadied away from the heels of HONEST WAY. Near the 1050 Metres, AMAZING raced tight outside HAPPY TANGO which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FEARLESS FIRE. Approaching the 1000 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was steadied away from the heels of COPARTNER SPIRIT which shifted in after being awkwardly placed outside the heels of DESTINE JEWELLERY. After this, COPARTNER SPIRIT raced keenly and near the 950 Metres was awkwardly placed behind DESTINE JEWELLERY. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, MASTER ALBERT and HAPPY TANGO raced tight as MASTER ALBERT shifted out marginally away from the heels of HAPPY GOOD GUYS. After the 600 Metres, COPARTNER SPIRIT got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of DESTINE JEWELLERY which was awkwardly placed behind HAPPY TANGO. Also after the 600 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 100 Metres, MASTER ALBERT shifted out abruptly under pressure, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount. Then over the concluding stages, MASTER ALBERT (A Hamelin) shifted in when being ridden out, resulting in HONEST WAY and HAPPY GOOD GUYS being hampered. A Hamelin was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course. A Hamelin was also spoken to regarding using the whip forward of the saddle on two occasions as MASTER ALBERT shifted out. HAPPY GOOD GUYS lost its right front plate over the concluding stages. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on COMPASSION STAR from the outside barrier and either lead if possible or sit outside HAPPY GOOD GUYS which was anticipated to be ridden to obtain the lead also from a wide barrier. He said, as anticipated, HAPPY GOOD GUYS was ridden along in the early stages and was able to cross runners to its inside after the 1100 Metres. He said approaching the 1000 Metres the rider of HAPPY GOOD GUYS commenced to steady in the lead and as COMPASSION STAR had momentum at that time after being ridden along in the early stages, he elected to improve forward of HAPPY GOOD GUYS as he anticipated that that horse would take up a trailing position. He said as he improved forward of HAPPY GOOD GUYS near the 950 Metres, that horse was then ridden along in an attempt to consolidate its position, however, at this stage he had committed COMPASSION STAR to improve forward of HAPPY GOOD GUYS, therefore he allowed the horse to continue into the lead which COMPASSION STAR was able to obtain near the 800 Metres. A veterinary inspection of FEARLESS FIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HONEST WAY, MASTER ALBERT and COMPASSION STAR were sent for sampling.