30/11/2022  Happy Valley  Race 2

Whilst in the holding stalls, FARSHAD had its right hind plate refitted. FARSHAD was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. DOUBLE SHOW shifted in at the start and bumped PROSECCO. FARSHAD and BRILLIANT LIFE were badly crowded for room on jumping between ISLAND SHINE and WINE AND WINE which, after initially being taken in by HIGH RISE SOLDIER, then shifted in away from that horse. This resulted in FARSHAD and BRILLIANT LIFE both losing ground. WOOD ON FIRE shifted in at the start and bumped COMPASSION SUPER which became unbalanced. After this, from a wide barrier, WOOD ON FIRE was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, DAZZLING FELLOW was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 900 Metres, PROSECCO was steadied away from the heels of DOUBLE SHOW (L Hewitson) which shifted in when not properly clear. When being steadied away from the heels of DOUBLE SHOW, PROSECCO shifted in and brushed the running rail passing the 900 Metres. L Hewitson was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 650 Metres, ISLAND SHINE and SIGHT HERO bumped and raced tight as SIGHT HERO shifted to the outside of PROSECCO. After this, ISLAND SHINE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 100 Metres, WINE AND WINE was steadied when crowded for room between DOUBLE SHOW and BRILLIANT LIFE which, when improving into tight running between WINE AND WINE and COMPASSION SUPER, bumped WINE AND WINE before being taken in by COMPASSION SUPER (H Bowman) which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the crowding. H Bowman was reprimanded and told that in the circumstances he should have reacted sooner than he did on this occasion to his mount shifting ground. He was further told to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 75 Metres, MR FUN was eased away from the heels of HIGH RISE SOLDIER (C Y Ho) and shifted to the inside of that horse which shifted out under pressure. C Y Ho was reprimanded and told to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Close to the finishing line, DAZZLING FELLOW was shifted out away from the heels of COMPASSION SUPER. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by L Currie, the rider of SIGHT HERO, which finished 2nd, against HIGH RISE SOLDIER (C Y Ho) being declared the winner alleging interference over the concluding stages. After taking evidence from all parties and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that inside the final 50 Metres HIGH RISE SOLDIER shifted out and brushed SIGHT HERO which resulted in L Currie being restricted in his use of the whip. However, the Stewards were of the opinion that the contact between the horses was minimal and having regard to the neck margin between them at the end of the race, they could not be comfortably satisfied that had the contact not occurred, SIGHT HERO would have finished in front of HIGH RISE SOLIDER. Accordingly, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. A veterinary inspection of WINE AND WINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH RISE SOLDIER and SIGHT HERO were sent for sampling.