21/12/2022  Happy Valley  Race 2

DELIGHTFUL LAOS was slow to begin. Approaching the 1100 Metres, FIVE G PATCH shifted out to obtain a position three wide with cover behind PRIME MINISTER, however, in doing so forced KING’S CAPITAL wider on the track before it was restrained to take up a position closer to the rail near the 1000 Metres. NATURAL STORM hung out rounding the Home Turn. After passing the 300 Metres, L Currie (LUCKY DIAMOND) momentarily got his whip caught in the reins of DELIGHTFUL LAOS. Throughout the race, PRIME MINISTER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on FIVE G PATCH tonight, H Bowman stated that he was given specific instructions to put his mount into the race from the 1000 Metres and was in a position to do that after gaining a three wide position behind PRIME MINISTER near the 1100 Metres. He said however at the same time, in his opinion, the tempo commenced to quicken and he felt that it would have been detrimental to FIVE G PATCH’s chances to improve four wide around the field from the 900 Metres. He added that after passing the 600 Metres he was unable to improve his position when he opted to follow ENSURED into the race which was travelling better than PRIME MINISTER at that stage and was of the view that to try and shift out around PRIME MINISTER, which was under pressure approaching the Home Turn, was not an option as he believed his mount would not be able to finish the race off. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on DELIGHTFUL LAOS at the request of Trainer C W Chang. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed the horse to have an epiglottic entrapment. A veterinary inspection of SAVVY KINGMAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NATURAL STORM and FIVE G PATCH were sent for sampling.