16/03/2022  Happy Valley  Race 4

SIGHT HERO was withdrawn on 15.3.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (heart irregularity) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CORDYCEPS ONE (M Chadwick). Before being allowed to race again, SIGHT HERO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DASSIT began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover shortly after the start. SOARING TOWER began awkwardly, shifted out and brushed the hindquarters of TAKINGUFURTHER which then shifted out and bumped HARMONY N HOME which became unbalanced. HEI WONGCHOY shifted out on jumping and bumped SURE JOYFUL. From the outside barriers, CORDYCEPS ONE and MELBOURNE HALL were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 500 Metres, HARMONY N HOME was awkwardly placed behind GANG OF BROTHERS. Passing the 300 Metres, HEI WONGCHOY, which was having its first race start tonight, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GANG OF BROTHERS. Approaching the 50 Metres, HARMONY N HOME raced tight inside GANG OF BROTHERS which shifted in. When questioned, R Maia stated that he was asked to ride SURE JOYFUL, which was having only its second race start tonight, in about 4th or 5th position with cover from barrier 10. He said since its first run SURE JOYFUL had barrier trialed well when able to be ridden close to the speed and it was felt that were SURE JOYFUL to be shifted across behind runners from barrier 10, the horse may have too much work to do over the latter stages of the race. He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages, SURE JOYFUL was left racing wide making the turn near the 1000 Metres and as GANG OF BROTHERS maintained its position behind the speed one horse off the rail, this resulted in SURE JOYFUL travelling three wide and without cover throughout tonight. After the race, B Shinn stated that after the 500 Metres NOBLE DESIRE came under pressure and then rounding the Home Turn the horse’s action deteriorated. He said on straightening NOBLE DESIRE shifted in towards the heels of KOKUSHI MUSOU and as the horse continued not to feel comfortable in its action, he eased it down over the final 150 Metres when NOBLE DESIRE was already beaten. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE DESIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE DESIRE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DASSIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KOKUSHI MUSOU and GANG OF BROTHERS were sent for sampling.