03/02/2021  Happy Valley  Race 8

SUNSHINE SUPREME was withdrawn on 2.2.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter METRO WARRIOR. Before being allowed to race again, SUNSHINE SUPREME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOYFUL UNION shifted out at the start and bumped BALTIC WHISPER which in turn shifted out and inconvenienced HALL OF CHAMP. PRINCE OF BON BON bumped with TRIPLE TRIPLE at the start, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. On jumping, AURORA PEGASUS was checked when crowded for room between METRO WARRIOR which shifted in and HARRIER JET which shifted out and made contact with AURORA PEGASUS and due to contact on its hindquarters continued to shift out despite the efforts of its rider. From the outside barriers, WINSTON’S LAD and ALCARI were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 800 Metres, when being steadied to obtain a position behind HALL OF CHAMP, METRO WARRIOR shifted in and became very awkward near the heels of that horse. Rounding the Home Turn, AURORA PEGASUS was very awkwardly placed inside the heels of MIG ENERGY. Approaching the 200 Metres, JOYFUL UNION was disappointed for a run between METRO WARRIOR and MIG ENERGY, both of which shifted ground. JOYFUL UNION was consequently shifted in across the heels of MIG ENERGY to continue improving. For the majority of the race, HALL OF CHAMP raced wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, Z Purton was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of JOYFUL UNION which he said did not close off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL UNION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, V Borges (HARRIER JET) reported that at the entrance to the Straight his whip momentarily became caught in the breast plate which took him a short distance to then pull his whip through. When questioned, V Borges stated that HARRIER JET was able to obtain a position one horse off the rail behind the leaders. He said HARRIER JET travelled satisfactorily throughout the early and middle stages, however, when placed under pressure in the Straight was one-paced and did not close off as it normally does. He said he was unable to offer any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of HARRIER JET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of METRO WARRIOR and HALL OF CHAMP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRIPLE TRIPLE and INNER FLAME were sent for sampling.