06/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 6

HAPPY TANGO began only fairly. AWESOME TREASURE shifted in at the start and hampered MAN UP. From the outside barriers, E LEGEND, SURE JOYFUL and FARIBAULT were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, AMBITIOUS HEART was steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the 1150 Metres, CHARMING STEED was bumped by VALIANT ELEGANCE which shifted out. SAVVY DELIGHT, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHARMING STEED in consequence. Passing the 1000 Metres, HAPPY TANGO was crowded for room inside BINGO BINGO (D Moor) which shifted in before being directed back out. D Moor was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Then approaching the 900 Metres, HAPPY TANGO was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BINGO BINGO when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. After the 550 Metres, CHARMING STEED raced tight between HAPPY TANGO and SAVVY DELIGHT (A Badel) which shifted out. SAVVY DELIGHT then shifted out further away from the heels of MAN UP near the 500 Metres as that horse lost ground when badly unbalanced. This resulted in CHARMING STEED being steadied when unable to maintain its position between HAPPY TANGO and SAVVY DELIGHT. A Badel was told that whilst the Stewards were of the opinion that the interference sustained by MAN UP had played a part in this incident by requiring SAVVY DELIGHT to shift out further than it otherwise would have, nonetheless he was reprimanded for having CHARMING STEED racing in restricted room by shifting out when not clear of that horse in the initial stages. Near the 500 Metres, MAN UP became badly unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room inside BINGO BINGO which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening. In the circumstances, D Moor was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. At the entrance to the Straight, AMBITIOUS HEART was shifted in away from the heels of CHARMING STEED. Close to the finishing line, FARIBAULT raced tight between VALIANT ELEGANCE and AWESOME TREASURE. Also close to the finishing line, SURE JOYFUL was awkwardly placed outside the heels of AWESOME TREASURE when racing tight inside BINGO BINGO. When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was told to obtain a forward position on PACKING AWARD if the horse began well and he was able to do so without having to ride his mount along. He said it was felt that if PACKING AWARD were to be ridden along in the early stages, the horse may not settle and then consequently not be able to finish the race off. He said PACKING AWARD began fairly and when there were a considerable number of horses better drawn than PACKING AWARD which were being ridden to obtain forward positions, he believed that he would have had to ride his mount aggressively to clear those horses and therefore he elected to shift across behind runners with a view to obtaining cover which he was able to do after the 700 Metres. A veterinary inspection of CHARMING STEED, HAPPY TANGO and MAN UP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BINGO BINGO and AWESOME TREASURE were sent for sampling.