10/06/2020  Happy Valley  Race 7

DELIGHTFUL LAOS began only fairly. SURREALISM lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and was slow to begin. RICKFIELD was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, BUNDLE OF DELIGHT raced tight inside DELIGHTFUL LAOS which, after initially being taken in by CINQUANTE CINQ which was racing tight inside JOLLY HONOUR, then got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse. After the 1300 Metres, DELIGHTFUL LAOS and CINQUANTE CINQ raced tight. DELIGHTFUL LAOS then got its head up near the 1250 Metres when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WIND GLIDER. After the 1100 Metres, DELIGHTFUL LAOS commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of WIND GLIDER, resulting in DELIGHTFUL LAOS bumping CINQUANTE CINQ. After this, DELIGHTFUL LAOS continued to travel keenly and raced close to the heels of WIND GLIDER passing the 1000 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn, BUNDLE OF DELIGHT raced tight outside SURREALISM which shifted out away from the heels of CINQUANTE CINQ. After the race, Z Purton reported that CINQUANTE CINQ, after travelling satisfactorily in the middle stages, did not quicken as anticipated and then did not finish off the race. He said, in his opinion, CINQUANTE CINQ raced "flat” tonight. A veterinary inspection of CINQUANTE CINQ immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, A Hamelin stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on JOLLY HONOUR but with cover if possible. He said after riding his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position, JOLLY HONOUR was left racing three wide without cover passing the winning post on the first occasion due to a number of horses which were drawn inside JOLLY HONOUR maintaining their position and horses from the outside which showed more early speed than JOLLY HONOUR. He said when unable to obtain cover, he allowed his mount to improve its position after the 1200 Metres to be racing outside HEAVENLY THOUGHT which in turn was racing outside the lead. He said when the pace of the race after the 1200 Metres was not strong, he did consider allowing his mount to improve its position forward of HEAVENLY THOUGHT to see whether he could improve sufficiently to cross that horse, however, he felt that both HEAVENLY THOUGHT and TURIN REDSTAR would maintain their position to the inside of JOLLY HONOUR which would result in him having to remain racing in a three wide position but also having to make use of the horse after the 1200 Metres. A Hamelin was told that his explanation would be reported, however, he was also told to avoid covering unnecessary ground wherever appropriate circumstances exist. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY HONOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CINQUANTE CINQ, GREEN LUCK and ALPHA HEDGE were sent for sampling.