02/03/2022  Happy Valley  Race 1

SUNSHINE WARRIOR was slow to begin. PRESENCE and INCANTO PREPARED were crowded for room on jumping between HORSESAIN BOLT which shifted in marginally and VILLA FIONN which shifted out away from RED MAJESTY. After this, PRESENCE and INCANTO PREPARED raced tight for some distance as PRESENCE attempted to maintain a position outside VILLA FIONN. PRESENCE was then shifted across behind VILLA FIONN near the 1550 Metres as INCANTO PREPARED was shifted in away from the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS. After the 1200 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS commenced to travel keenly and near the 1050 Metres shifted out away from the heels of HORSESAIN BOLT. When AMAZING ONE PLUS shifted out, INCANTO PREPARED, which was following, was shifted out in consequence to avoid the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS. INCANTO PREPARED then travelled wide and without cover until after the 800 Metres. When racing tight between PRESENCE and INCANTO PREPARED at the 700 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS was steadied to avoid the heels of PRESENCE as a result of both horses shifting ground. Near the 25 Metres, A Hamelin (VILLA FIONN) dropped his whip. When questioned, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, PRESENCE’s failure to finish the race off was attributable to the slow tempo of the race in the early and middle stages. He said PRESENCE travelled too keenly and for some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres got its head up when being checked away from behind VILLA FIONN due to the slow tempo. He said PRESENCE continued to travel keenly until the tempo of the race increased after the 800 Metres. He said when placed under pressure after the 600 Metres PRESENCE gave him only a limited response and commenced to give ground in the early part of the Straight. He added that after the race PRESENCE was making an abnormal breathing noise which indicated to him that the horse may have "chocked down” due to the tempo of the race in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of PRESENCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PRESENCE, which finished at the rear of the field as favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PRESENCE 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 STORM LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PRESENCE, RED MAJESTY and VILLA FIONN were sent for sampling.