08/12/2021  Happy Valley  Race 7

MERCURIAL shifted in on jumping and bumped INVINCIBLE MISSILE. From wide barriers, PRESENCE and WEALTHY DELIGHT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being shifted across behind runners, WEALTHY DELIGHT was steadied away from the heels of ROMANTIC COMBO near the 1600 Metres. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, MEANINGFUL STAR momentarily raced tight inside RED MAJESTY which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of THE ANOMALY. Also passing the winning post on the first occasion, PRESENCE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of INVINCIBLE MISSILE. Near the 1100 Metres, ROMANTIC COMBO was left racing wide and without cover and was allowed to improve into a more forward position, however, continued to travel wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, ROMANTIC COMBO raced tight outside AMAZING ONE PLUS which shifted out to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, RED MAJESTY became unbalanced when bumped by MERCURIAL (L Hewitson) which shifted in under pressure. L Hewitson was reprimanded and told that he would be expected to exercise far more care than he did on this occasion. When questioned, A Badel stated that whilst he was not tied down to any specific instructions on NOTHING NEW tonight, he was asked to be mindful that the horse had proved difficult to settle after being ridden to obtain the lead at its most recent start. He said NOTHING NEW began only fairly and then was crowded for room between ROMANTIC COMBO and GOLDEN LINK which shifted out. He said because of this and because GOLDEN LINK was showing more early speed than NOTHING NEW, he elected to shift NOTHING NEW across behind runners and obtain a position with cover behind AMAZING ONE PLUS. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion NOTHING NEW again commenced to travel keenly and therefore he remained racing outside the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS and allowed ROMANTIC COMBO to improve forward of NOTHING NEW with a view to obtaining cover behind that horse. He said after being crossed by ROMANTIC COMBO after the 1300 Metres, NOTHING NEW commenced to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. He added when the pace slackened after the 1200 Metres and due to the manner in which NOTHING NEW was racing at this time, he was obliged to allow NOTHING NEW to improve to the outside of ROMANTIC COMBO and commenced to improve his position after the 1100 Metres. He said he continued to allow NOTHING NEW to improve its position and was able to shift in to race outside the lead near the 600 Metres. After the race, D Lane reported that it was felt that he may have to make too much use of GALLANT CROWN to cross runners to his inside from the outside barrier and therefore he was asked to obtain a position in midfield or behind midfield with cover if possible. He said after GALLANT CROWN began awkwardly, he then shifted the horse across behind runners, however, to obtain cover, he was required to position GALLANT CROWN at the rear of the field,. A veterinary inspection of PRESENCE and ROMANTIC COMBO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MEANINGFUL STAR, INVINCIBLE MISSILE and AMAZING ONE PLUS were sent for sampling.