07/07/2021  Happy Valley  Race 1

APOLAR WARRIOR began only fairly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of JIMMU which became unbalanced. This resulted in APOLAR WARRIOR losing further ground. CAN’T TOUCH THIS shifted out at the start and brushed BIG BANG BONG. RUN RUN GOOD lost its left front plate on jumping. From wide barriers, HAPPY HOUR and DIAMOND STAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, RUN RUN GOOD shifted out and bumped WONDERFUL TIGER which was being steadied with a view to being shifted across behind runners to obtain cover from a wide barrier. CAN’T TOUCH THIS lost its right front plate in the early stages. After the 1300 Metres, SURE WIN WIN became unbalanced of its own accord. APOLAR WARRIOR, which was following SURE WIN WIN, got its head on the side and shifted out when awkwardly placed behind that horse, resulting in APOLAR WARRIOR racing tight inside the hindquarters of JIMMU. Passing the 600 Metres, TOP SCORE got its head on the side and lay in. Approaching and passing the 500 Metres, RUN RUN GOOD got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 400 Metres, SURE WIN WIN was held up behind LUCKY MISSILE which came under pressure. APOLAR WARRIOR, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SURE WIN WIN in consequence. In this incident, SURE WIN WIN lost its right hind plate. Passing the 300 Metres, APOLAR WARRIOR was shifted in away from the heels of LUCKY MISSILE which was giving ground to obtain clear running. WONDERFUL TIGER lay in under pressure in the Straight. When questioned, R Maia (BIG BANG BONG) stated that he was instructed to obtain cover behind the speed if possible. He said after the 1400 Metres BIG BANG BONG was left racing wide and without cover. He said although the tempo of the race after the 1200 Metres was slow, he was reluctant to allow his mount to stride forward despite the fact that it was travelling keenly as he was concerned that if he allowed BIG BANG BONG to improve its position and LUCKY MISSILE, which was racing immediately to the inside of his mount, continued to maintain its position inside BIG BANG BONG, this would result in use having to be made of his mount without obtaining a more beneficial position and the possibility that it would not be able to finish off the race. He said he therefore elected in the circumstances to ensure that BIG BANG BONG was balanced up and able to be finish off the race the best that it could despite having to race wide and without cover for the majority of the race. R Maia was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, wherever possible, he rides his mounts in such a manner so as not to cover unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MISSILE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY MISSILE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. APOLAR WARRIOR, SURE WIN WIN and GO BALLISTIC were sent for sampling. <8/7/2021 Additional Veterinary Reports>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that TOP SCORE had a very restricted action all round and a sore back on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, TOP SCORE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that CAN’T TOUCH THIS had sustained a left front medial branch suspensory ligament injury on the afternoon after racing. Before being allowed to race again, CAN’T TOUCH THIS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.