18/11/2020  Happy Valley  Race 9

GUY DRAGON and AMARA WIN began only fairly. GOOD BEAUTY was crowded for room on jumping between MEHBOOB and THE RUNNER, both of which shifted ground. After this, GOOD BEAUTY was shifted across behind runners. From the outside barrier, CHIKORITA was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After being steadied in the early stages to obtain cover, MEHBOOB was left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. Approaching the 700 Metres, CHIKORITA commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MEHBOOB. When questioned, H N Wong stated that FLYING ON THE TURF was fractious in the barriers and kicked out on a number of occasions. He said after SCORES OF FUN became fractious, FLYING ON THE TURF continued to kick out and did so as the start was effected which resulted in FLYING ON THE TURF losing ground. He said it was intended for the horse to be ridden behind the leaders, however, FLYING ON THE TURF’s barrier manners resulted in the horse having to race much further back in the field. He said in the early and middle stages FLYING ON THE TURF travelled only fairly when having to be ridden back in the field and then after the 500 Metres his saddle shifted to the left which placed him at a significant disadvantage. He added his saddle continued to shift rounding the Home Turn and because of this he was not able to ride FLYING ON THE TURF along and the horse was not able to be tested. After viewing the videos which verified Jockey Wong’s evidence both in respect of his mount kicking out as the start was effected and his saddle shifting significantly to the left, the Stewards took no further action. A veterinary inspection of FLYING ON THE TURF immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EXCEED THE STARS and XPONENTIAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GUY DRAGON and SCORES OF FUN were sent for sampling.