08/04/2021  Happy Valley  Race 9

EXCEPTIONAL NICE began awkwardly and shifted in and shortly after the start was checked away from the heels of BEAR AGAIN which shifted out. ROMANTIC COMBO began awkwardly and lost ground. From wide barriers, INCANTO PREPARED and THE HULK were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. HELENE WISDOM STAR was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. Near the 1250 Metres, BEAR AGAIN was momentarily crowded for room inside TELECOM FIGHTERS which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to BEAR AGAIN. Passing the 1200 Metres, INDICATIVE VOTE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, SACRED IBIS was taken wider and without cover by ROMANTIC COMBO which shifted out. SACRED IBIS then got its head on the side making the turn approaching the 500 Metres and then made the Home Turn awkwardly. ROMANTIC COMBO and INCANTO PREPARED raced tight rounding the Home Turn as INCANTO PREPARED attempted to shift out to obtain clear running. INCANTO PREPARED was then held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight behind INDICATIVE VOTE. Near the 250 Metres, GOOD BEAUTY was bumped by THE HULK which shifted to the outside of ARMOR STAR in an endeavour to obtain clear running which resulted in GOOD BEAUTY becoming unbalanced. GOOD BEAUTY was then checked passing the 200 Metres when crowded for room between THE HULK and INDICATIVE VOTE (C Y Ho) which got its head on the side and shifted in away from ROMANTIC COMBO which itself was shifting in under pressure. C Y Ho was severely reprimanded and told that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, in similar circumstances he would be expected to do more than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners. Passing the 150 Metres, INDICATIVE VOTE was steadied away from the heels of ROMANTIC COMBO (A Badel) which shifted in. A Badel was reprimanded and told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 50 Metres, THE HULK was steadied when attempting to improve between BEAR AGAIN and ROMANTIC COMBO which shifted in under pressure. As the Stewards could not be satisfied to the necessary degree that THE HULK, which was shifting out, had properly established running to the outside of BEAR AGAIN prior to ROMANTIC COMBO’s movement inwards, A Badel was reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course rather than allowing them to shift ground whilst being ridden out. A veterinary inspection of INCANTO PREPARED and SACRED IBIS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TELECOM FIGHTERS and HELENE WISDOM STAR were sent for sampling.