20/04/2022  Happy Valley  Race 1

OWNERS’ STAR began only fairly. FLASH FAMOUS shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SPEED FORCE. STRATHMORETOO began awkwardly and then was ridden along for some distance to obtain a forward position. From the outside barrier, GREAT TIMES was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the 1500 Metres, SMILING FACE raced tight outside OWNERS’ STAR when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. PRESIDENT STAR travelled wide and without cover in the early stages and passing the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead after the 900 Metres. Near the 1150 Metres, SPEED FORCE got its head up and shifted out away from the heels of ORIENTAL AMIGO after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. OWNERS’ STAR, which was following SPEED FORCE, was steadied away from the heels of that horse passing the 1100 Metres when SPEED FORCE resumed its position behind ORIENTAL AMIGO. Rounding the Home Turn, OWNERS’ STAR was shifted in away from the heels of GREAT TIMES which improved to the outside of WAH MAY LUCK. OWNERS’ STAR was then directed in away from the heels of firstly PRESIDENT STAR and then WONDERFUL FANTASY after the 300 Metres in an attempt to obtain clear running. After this, OWNERS’ STAR was steadied away from the heels of STRATHMORETOO near the 200 Metres when held up for clear running behind that horse. OWNERS’ STAR was then shifted to the inside of STRATHMORETOO and continued to be held up for clear running until after the 150 Metres when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLASH FAMOUS. Passing the 300 Metres, GREAT TIMES raced tight inside ORIENTAL AMIGO which shifted in before being corrected. Then passing the 200 Metres, ORIENTAL AMIGO was bumped by GREAT TIMES which shifted out. When ORIENTAL AMIGO was bumped, that horse shifted out, resulting in SPEED FORCE and SMILING FACE being inconvenienced. When questioned regarding his riding out of FLASH FAMOUS over the concluding stages, R Maia stated that his mount was inclined to lay out in the early part of the Straight and for this reason he changed his whip over into his left hand passing the 200 Metres. He said when riding FLASH FAMOUS out, that horse continued to shift out under pressure. He said over the concluding stages he stopped riding his mount as he felt that the horse may shift out further and cause interference. He said he believed this occurred close to the finishing line, however, after viewing the videos, acknowledged that it was further from the finishing line that he thought during the race. R Maia was told that whilst the Stewards acknowledged that his horse was laying out in the Straight, nonetheless he was able to continue to ride it out at least hands and heels without causing interference to other runners. He was further told that whilst FLASH FAMOUS had run 4th in the event and his riding of the horse over the concluding stages did not impact on its final finishing position, he was severely reprimanded and reminded of the penalties involved with a breach of the Rule of Racing in respect of riding his mounts out to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of SMILING FACE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPEED FORCE, DIAMOND STAR and GREAT TIMES were sent for sampling.