02/06/2021  Happy Valley  Race 8

Trainer K W Lui was fined the sum of $3,000 for presenting SKYEY SUPREME in the Parade Ring with a parade hood rather than STANLEY PARK which was declared to carry that piece of equipment. THE MULTIPLIER was found to have a minor laceration to the right hock in the saddling stalls. Prior to the race, THE MULTIPLIER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MR COLOURFUL began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of SKYEY SUPREME. This resulted in MR COLOURFUL becoming unbalanced, shifting in and bumping the hindquarters of SIMPLY FLUKE, causing MR COLOURFUL to lose ground. From the outside barrier, SHOUSON was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1150 Metres, RHAPSODY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of H Z TOURBILLON which shifted out after brushing PERFECT GLORY. Approaching the 1000 Metres, RHAPSODY commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of STANLEY PARK (M F Poon) which shifted in when not properly clear. M F Poon was reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the racing manners of RHAPSODY at this stage cast sufficient doubt as to whether the movement inwards from STANLEY PARK had been largely responsible for the incident, nonetheless he was told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. When RHAPSODY was hampered, that horse shifted out abruptly, taking FAMILY FOLKS wider. Passing the 700 Metres, MR COLOURFUL commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of H Z TOURBILLON. MR COLOURFUL then shifted out away from the heels of H Z TOURBILLON, resulting in RHAPSODY, which was travelling keenly, being crowded for room between MR COLOURFUL and FAMILY FOLKS. MR COLOURFUL continued to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of H Z TOURBILLON for some distance. At the entrance to the Straight, SIMPLY FLUKE was held up for clear running behind H Z TOURBILLON. SHOUSON was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 200 Metres was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. Passing the 300 Metres, as KINDA COOL was improving to the outside of MR COLOURFUL (N Callan), KINDA COOL was shifted out away from the heels of that horse which was directed to the outside of FAMILY FOLKS. N Callan was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 100 Metres, THE MULTIPLIER momentarily raced in restricted room between FAMILY FOLKS and STANLEY PARK. Throughout the race, STANLEY PARK and FAMILY FOLKS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RHAPSODY, J Moreira stated that just prior to the start being effected RHAPSODY lunged at the front gates which resulted in the horse not beginning well as the start was effected. He said RHAPSODY lifted its front feet off the ground on jumping, shifted in and bumped H Z TOURBILLON which resulted in RHAPSODY not being able to show as much early speed as usual. He said after riding his mount along in an attempt to obtain a more forward position, this resulted in RHAPSODY over-racing and after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of STANLEY PARK, the horse then shifted out abruptly after the 1000 Metres. He said whilst he was able to shift RHAPSODY back in, his mount did not relax in the middle stages when awkwardly placed behind STANLEY PARK. He said after the 700 Metres RHAPSODY was bumped by MR COLOURFUL which shifted out which resulted in RHAPSODY proving even more difficult to settle and becoming unbalanced. He said RHAPSODY then lay out rounding the Home Turn as he attempted to improve his position and after having to be momentarily shifted away from KINDA COOL passing the 300 Metres, he eased his mount down over the concluding stages as RHAPSODY was already well beaten at this stage. He added whilst RHAPSODY’s performance was disappointing, he believed that the horse’s failure to relax after not beginning well was the principal reason for it not being able to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of RHAPSODY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RHAPSODY, favourite for tonight’s race and a last start winner and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RHAPSODY 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 PERFECT GLORY and FAMILY FOLKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RHAPSODY, SIMPLY FLUKE and H Z TOURBILLON were sent for sampling.