19/05/2021  Happy Valley  Race 7

Just prior to the start being effected, HERE COMES TED became fractious and after beginning awkwardly was then bumped by LINCOLN BRIGHT which shifted out. SHOUSON began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between JOYFUL UNION and PING HAI GALAXY which shifted in. After this, SHOUSON was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, AMAZING NEWS was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 300 Metres, JOYFUL UNION was awkwardly placed outside the heels of YOO YOO KING which shifted out. Approaching the 200 Metres, AMAZING NEWS became unbalanced when momentarily racing in restricted room between YOO YOO KING and SIMPLY FLUKE which shifted out. After the 150 Metres, JOYFUL UNION again raced tight outside the heels of YOO YOO KING which drifted out under pressure. For the majority of the race, JOYFUL UNION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SPONTANEOUS, V Borges stated that he was asked to take up a forward position on the horse but if another runner was intent on leading, then it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position. He said in accordance with his instructions he allowed the horse to obtain a forward position, however, SPONTANEOUS did not travel strongly in the early and middle stages as it did when he rode the horse previously. He said as SPONTANEOUS was not travelling as well as anticipated and PING HAI GALAXY was showing more speed than SPONTANEOUS, he allowed that horse to improve into the lead and then shifted to the outside of PING HAI GALAXY near the 500 Metres. He said rounding the Home Turn he became concerned that SPONTANEOUS was not going to finish off the race strongly as the horse was under heavy pressure and not responding to his riding. He added whilst SPONTANEOUS was one-paced in the early part of the Straight, the horse was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to travel in tonight’s race and then finish off the race. Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of SPONTANEOUS, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Borges and said that, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing. He said SPONTANEOUS had trialed well in the lead up to tonight’s race and off the back of its trial was considered to be a good chance in the race. He advised the Stewards that it is now his intention to spell SPONTANEOUS. A veterinary inspection of SPONTANEOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BE READY, LINCOLN BRIGHT, SHOUSON and SIMPLY FLUKE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPONTANEOUS, PING HAI GALAXY and BE READY were sent for sampling.