01/12/2021  Happy Valley  Race 7

PRIDE OF DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped HAPPY GATHERING. I BELIEVE IN MAGIC began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of DASSIT, resulting in DASSIT becoming unbalanced and I BELIEVE IN MAGIC losing ground. POISED TO STRIKE and ILLUSTRIOUS bumped on jumping. From the outside barrier, LUCKY ARCHANGEL was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, WIN CHARM was eased away from the heels of ILLUSTRIOUS. I BELIEVE IN MAGIC, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Near the 900 Metres, I BELIEVE IN MAGIC, which was racing greenly, shifted in away from ILLUSTRIOUS, resulting in DAILY BEAUTY momentarily racing tight inside I BELIEVE IN MAGIC. Passing the 800 Metres, ILLUSTRIOUS shifted in away from DASSIT and became unbalanced when racing in restricted room between that horse and I BELIEVE IN MAGIC which shifted out. Passing the 700 Metres, SINGAPORE SPIRIT shifted out away from the heels of COLONEL when awkwardly placed behind that horse. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SINGAPORE SPIRIT again shifted out away from the heels of COLONEL. HAPPY GATHERING (M Chadwick), which was following SINGAPORE SPIRIT, improved its position to be racing tight inside the heels of that horse which was then corrected by its rider. This resulted in HAPPY GATHERING having to be checked away from the heels of SINGAPORE SPIRIT and shifting in, causing PRIDE OF DRAGON to lose ground when crowded for room inside HAPPY GATHERING which was then shifted out to relieve the crowding to PRIDE OF DRAGON. DAILY BEAUTY, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of PRIDE OF DRAGON in consequence. M Chadwick was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that SINGAPORE SPIRIT had shifted out which presented the impression that that horse would continue to shift ground which would allow HAPPY GATHERING the opportunity to improve inside that horse, they were of the opinion that he had been somewhat premature in attempting to advance inside SINGAPORE SPIRIT prior to that horse shifting out into a three wide position. He was therefore reprimanded and advised to exercise due care when improving into tight runs so as to ensure that he does not cause crowding to other runners. Approaching the 150 Metres, L Hewitson (I BELIEVE IN MAGIC) dropped his whip. Throughout the race, DASSIT travelled wide and without cover. HAPPY GATHERING, POISED TO STRIKE and SINGAPORE SPIRIT were sent for sampling.