24/02/2021  Happy Valley  Race 3

GENERAL’S DELIGHT was slow to begin and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, BERLIN TANGO was crowded for room between SUNSHINE WARRIOR which shifted in marginally and THE ROCK which got its head on the side and shifted out. In this incident, all three horses became unbalanced. Approaching the 1300 Metres, BERLIN TANGO was momentarily awkwardly placed behind SUNSHINE WARRIOR which shifted in. After the 1200 Metres, THE ROCK travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind SOLAR WAI WAI. Approaching the 200 Metres, K Teetan (BERLIN TANGO) dropped his left rein. Then passing the 200 Metres, BERLIN TANGO was shifted to the inside of GENERAL’S DELIGHT in an attempt to obtain clear running. BERLIN TANGO was checked away from the heels of GENERAL’S DELIGHT (M Chadwick) approaching the 150 Metres when disappointed for running inside that horse. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that at no stage did BERLIN TANGO establish running to the inside of GENERAL’S DELIGHT, nonetheless M Chadwick was advised to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 200 Metres, SOLAR WAI WAI raced tight inside THE ROCK which shifted in marginally. Over the concluding stages, BERLIN TANGO raced close to the heels of STAR SHINE and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, SIMPLY BRILLIANT travelled wide and without cover and after the 500 Metres commenced to give ground and subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of SIMPLY BRILLIANT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SIMPLY BRILLIANT was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SIMPLY BRILLIANT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUNSHINE WARRIOR, J Moreira stated that after being able to obtain a position behind THE ROCK one horse off the rail near the 1300 Metres, SUNSHINE WARRIOR did not travel as strongly as he anticipated. He said SUNSHINE WARRIOR travelled only fairly in the middle stages and after shifting to the outside of SIMPLY BRILLIANT after the 500 Metres to improve around that horse which was giving ground, he became concerned that SUNSHINE WARRIOR was not quickening as well as anticipated. He added he placed the horse under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, however, SUNSHINE WARRIOR did not respond to his riding and was very disappointing in the manner in which it failed to make ground over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of SUNSHINE WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SUNSHINE WARRIOR, favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUNSHINE WARRIOR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUNSHINE WARRIOR, SOLAR WAI WAI and FAST MOST FURIOUS were sent for sampling.