02/06/2021  Happy Valley  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, PAKISTAN ZINDABAD, which kicked a rail in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of HARRIER JET, resulting in HARRIER JET becoming unbalanced and PAKISTAN ZINDABAD losing ground. NOBLE DESIRE and LITTLE PLAYER bumped at the start. LITTLE PLAYER was then bumped by BULLISH UNICORN a short distance after the start which was taken out by DRAGON KINGDOM. Then despite being vigorously ridden along for some distance, BULLISH UNICORN failed to muster speed. From the outside barrier, HAPPY GATHERING was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After traveling a short distance, JAZZ STEED shifted in and bumped HARRIER JET. Passing the 900 Metres, JAZZ STEED was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FORTUNE CARRIER which was steadied to obtain cover behind NOIR RIDER. Throughout the race, DRAGON KINGDOM travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FORTUNE HERO, K Teetan stated that he was given identical instructions as he was at its most recent start when successful, that being to ride the horse positively in the early stages. He said it was felt that NOIR RIDER may have sufficient speed to cross FANTASTIC FABIO and the opportunity may be available for FORTUNE HERO to shift across in the early stages to race outside NOIR RIDER. He said despite being vigorously ridden for some distance in the early stages, FORTUNE HERO did not show the same speed that it did at its last start and making the turn near the 1000 Metres was left racing five wide. He said based on FORTUNE HERO’s inability to muster speed in the early stages, he did not believe that the horse would be able to cross DRAGON KINGDOM to his inside after the 1000 Metres and therefore he elected to take a trailing position behind that horse. He added after shifting in to race behind DRAGON KINGDOM near the 800 Metres, FORTUNE HERO appeared to lose concentration as the horse was reluctant to maintain its position behind that horse. He said he therefore had to ride FORTUNE HERO along for some distance after the 900 Metres to remain racing behind DRAGON KINGDOM. He said after this FORTUNE HERO travelled only fairly and he had to again commence riding the horse along from the 550 Metres. He said despite being ridden along FORTUNE HERO did not respond to his riding and in the early part of the Straight commenced to give ground. K Teetan stated that, in his opinion, the horse’s disappointing performance could be attributed to the fact that it was not able to lead and dictate the race as it did at its last start despite tonight’s race being run at a slower tempo than its most recent race. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FORTUNE HERO, a last start winner and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FORTUNE HERO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of NOIR RIDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HARRIER JET and FORTUNE CARRIER were sent for sampling.