14/04/2021  Happy Valley  Race 5

BULLETPROOF got its head up on jumping. VICTORIOUS SEEKER was crowded for room on jumping between EVER LAUGH and WINNING STEED which was taken out by SPRINT FORWARD. MAXIMIZE HEART shifted out at the start and bumped CHEERFUL DAYS. Shortly after the start, REGENCY MASTER was shifted in abruptly from a wide barrier to obtain a position on the rail. From wide barriers, DREAM WARRIORS, FREE FOAL and AEROSONIC were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1300 Metres, after being crossed by MAXIMIZE HEART, SPRINT FORWARD commenced to travel keenly, got its head on the side and lay out towards WINNING STEED. After the 1000 Metres, AEROSONIC travelled keenly. In the middle stages, MAXIMIZE HEART travelled keenly in the lead. Rounding the Home Turn, REGENCY MASTER was steadied away from the heels of SPRINT FORWARD when held up for clear running behind that horse. At the entrance to the Straight, BULLETPROOF and DREAM WARRIORS raced tight. Passing the 250 Metres, AEROSONIC was shifted to the outside of REGENCY MASTER after being disappointed for running inside that horse. At the 150 Metres, AEROSONIC and WINNING STEED brushed. Passing the 150 Metres, SPRINT FORWARD momentarily raced tight inside EVER LAUGH which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WINNING STEED, C Y Ho was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s failure to run on in tonight’s race. He said after obtaining a good trailing position in the early stages, WINNING STEED travelled well. He said although the pace of the race was stronger in the middle stages than at the horse’s last start, this did not explain the manner in which it came off the bridle passing the 500 Metres. He added at its last start he formed the view that WINNING STEED was somewhat one-paced and after being placed under pressure tonight, he anticipated that it would respond to his riding, however, WINNING STEED came under heavy pressure passing the 400 Metres and then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of WINNING STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHEERFUL DAYS and REGENCY MASTER were sent for sampling.