09/12/2020  Happy Valley  Race 8

BEAUTY SPARK was crowded for room on jumping between FLYING BONUS and WINSTON’S LAD, both of which shifted ground. MEHBOOB and HARMONY N BLESSED bumped at the start. WHAT A LEGEND began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between STORM WARNINGS and CUE THE MUSIC which shifted out. After this, from a wide barrier, WHAT A LEGEND was shifted across behind runners. From the outside barrier, WIND N GRASS was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. GRATEFUL HEART shifted out at the start and hampered LUCKY QUALITY. Despite being ridden along in the early stages after being crowded on jumping, LUCKY QUALITY was slow to muster speed. Near the 1150 Metres, MERIDIAN GENIUS was tightened for room between CUE THE MUSIC and MEHBOOB which shifted out. Also near the 1150 Metres, MEHBOOB was steadied to obtain cover behind WINSTON’S LAD after being awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse. Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, WINSTON’S LAD got its head on the side and raced tight between CUE THE MUSIC and BEAUTY SPARK. Near the 850 Metres, MEHBOOB got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MERIDIAN GENIUS. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, WINSTON’S LAD lay in and bumped the hindquarters of BEAUTY SPARK. WINSTON’S LAD was then crowded for room between BEAUTY SPARK which shifted out after becoming unbalanced and MERIDIAN GENIUS which shifted in marginally. In this incident, MERIDIAN GENIUS became unbalanced when bumped by WINSTON’S LAD. Passing the 250 Metres, LUCKY QUALITY was shifted to the outside of BEAUTY SPARK to obtain clear running after being disappointed for running inside that horse. Throughout the race, STORM WARNINGS travelled wide and without cover. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CUE THE MUSIC had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of MEHBOOB immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HARMONY N BLESSED and GRATEFUL HEART were sent for sampling.