30/11/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

ENSURED was crowded for room on jumping between PRIME MINISTER and LUCKY DIAMOND which shifted out. DELIGHTFUL LAOS was slow to begin and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, NEARLY FINE was steadied on jumping to obtain a position closer to the rail. Approaching the 1650 Metres, PRAGMATISM, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of INTREPID WINNER which shifted out. Then after the 1400 Metres, PRAGMATISM was left racing wide and without cover and near the 1250 Metres was taken wider by ESCAPE ROUTE which shifted out away from the heels of SAVVY KINGMAN when proving very difficult to settle. PRAGMATISM and ESCAPE ROUTE then continued to race tight passing the 1200 Metres. PRAGMATISM was then allowed to improve its position into the lead after the 1100 Metres. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, PRIME MINISTER raced tight inside INTREPID WINNER which got its head on the side and lay in away from ESCAPE ROUTE. Approaching the 800 Metres, SAVVY KINGMAN was taken wider by COMET SPLENDIDO which shifted out from behind PRAGMATISM. After this, SAVVY KINGMAN travelled wide and without cover and making the turn at the 600 Metres was bumped by COMET SPLENDIDO which shifted out. Passing the 700 Metres, DELIGHTFUL LAOS was shifted out and ridden along to improve its position and after this travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, INTREPID WINNER got its head on the side and lay in. ESCAPE ROUTE had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 400 Metres. PRIME MINISTER was held up for clear running behind PRAGMATISM rounding the Home Turn. SEAWEED FORTUNE, which was following PRIME MINISTER, was held up behind that horse in consequence. At the entrance to the Straight, INTREPID WINNER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ESCAPE ROUTE. INTREPID WINNER then lay in in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 100 Metres, SEAWEED FORTUNE was shifted in away from the heels of LUCKY DIAMOND which shifted in under pressure. SEAWEED FORTUNE was then shifted out away from the heels of PRIME MINISTER passing the 100 Metres as that horse shifted to the outside of COMET SPLENDIDO to continue improving. After the race, V Borges stated that, from barrier 8, it was intended for ESCAPE ROUTE to be ridden back in the field, however, the horse began very well and he was able to obtain a more forward position than was anticipated without having to ride his mount along in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of INTREPID WINNER and ESCAPE ROUTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COMMET SPLENDIDO, NEARLY FINE and TIANCHI MONSTER were sent for sampling.