16/03/2022  Happy Valley  Race 1

SHANGHAI POWER began awkwardly and lost ground and then despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages was slow to muster speed. ABOVE ALL shifted out at the start and bumped GIVE WAY PLEASE which became unbalanced. SEA MONARCH got its head up shortly after the start when being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier and after travelling a short distance was crowded for room between SPLIT OF A SECOND which began awkwardly and MUDITA which shifted out. After initially being ridden along from the outside barrier, VIVA CHEF was steadied after travelling a short distance and shifted across behind runners. Approaching and passing the 700 Metres, SEA MONARCH travelled keenly and then making the turn after the 600 Metres hung out badly across the heels of MUDITA, resulting in SEA MONARCH being checked and VIVA CHEF being hampered and taken wider. SEA MONARCH then continued to hang out badly, resulting in VIVA CHEF being badly hampered and taken very wide which resulted in both SEA MONARCH and VIVA CHEF losing a considerable amount of ground. Having regard to SEA MONARCH’s racing manners tonight together with the horse’s previous history, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, SEA MONARCH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series (not less than 3) of consecutive barrier trials around a bend. A veterinary inspection of SEA MONARCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the 600 Metres, UNIVERSAL CROWN was left racing wide and without cover. RAGING BLAZE was held up for clear running from approaching the 200 Metres until just prior to the 100 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, SHANGHAI POWER was shifted to the outside of ABOVE ALL to obtain clear running after being disappointed for running to the inside of that horse and outside GIVE WAY PLEASE. In the Straight, GIVE WAY PLEASE lay in under pressure and near the 50 Metres shifted in and brushed FARM BUMPER. Close to the finishing line, SHANGHAI POWER and SPLIT OF A SECOND raced tight as SPLIT OF A SECOND shifted in away from the heels of UNIVERSAL CROWN. Because of this, both SHANGHAI POWER and SPLIT OF A SECOND were not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. K Teetan (VIVA CHEF) was reminded of his obligations in respect of the amount of whip to be used on a horse which is clearly out of contention. A veterinary inspection of MULTIPLE STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VIVA MAMA and ABOVE ALL were sent for sampling.