19/10/2022  Happy Valley  Race 3

FABULOUS EIGHT, which made contact with a rail on leaving the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race. MODEST GENTLEMAN, which was fractious in the barriers, began very awkwardly, lost ground and then stumbled on jumping, resulting in the horse losing significant ground. Before being allowed to race again, MODEST GENTLEMAN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. FLAMING EAGLE and TELECOM MISSILE began only fairly. From a wide barrier, GOLD GOLD BABY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 200 Metres, GOLD GOLD BABY shifted out away from the heels of SEE U AGAIN and momentarily raced tight inside FABULOUS EIGHT. Passing the 150 Metres, as SEE U AGAIN, which was laying in, was attempting to improve to the outside of PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN, PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN (L Hewitson) shifted out abruptly, resulting in SEE U AGAIN being checked and shifting out away from the heels of PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN which resulted in GOLD GOLD BABY being badly hampered when crowded for room between SEE U AGAIN and FABULOUS EIGHT which also was badly hampered as a result of being bumped by GOLD GOLD BABY. As the Stewards formed the view that SEE U AGAIN had not established running to the outside of the heels of PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN prior to that horse shifting out abruptly, no further action was taken other than L Hewitson was reprimanded for not being more alert to his mount shifting some ground prior to it shifting out abruptly. He was told in similar circumstances he must be alert to his mounts shifting ground so that he is able to correct them at the earliest opportunity. When questioned, L Hewitson stated that after being unable to obtain a trailing position behind SUPER COMMANDER and in advance of SEE U AGAIN after the 700 Metres, PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN was required to race in a three wide position and without cover near the 700 Metres after being ridden positively from the outside barrier. He said approaching the 600 Metres he felt that the rider of SUPER COMMANDER, which was racing inside PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN, was steadying his mount and he felt that an opportunity existed for PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN to be ridden along and improve quickly forward of SUPER COMMANDER to obtain a position one horse off the rail. He said when he rode PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN along passing the 600 Metres, SUPER COMMANDER was able to maintain its position to his inside and he was not able to clear that horse and therefore continued to race in a three wide position and without cover. L Hewitson was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in attempting to ride forward of SUPER COMMANDER at the 600 Metres given that he had been racing off that horse in the lead up to this point of the race. He was further told that PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN’s chance of being able to improve forward of SUPER COMMANDER sufficiently to cross that horse was highly unlikely and therefore his decision to ride along at that time resulted in PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN, which was already racing in a three wide position without cover, having to be made of a considerable distance from the finish. He was told to ensure that in similar circumstances he rides his mounts in such a manner that they are able to finish their races off as best as they are able in the circumstances. A veterinary inspection of MODEST GENTLEMAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLD GOLD BABY and SERGEANT PEPPER were sent for sampling.