28/12/2022  Happy Valley  Race 3

FARSHAD, which sustained an abrasion to the left hind fetlock whilst being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. PROSECCO began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. SURE JOYFUL began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of EAGLE RUN which became badly unbalanced. SURE JOYFUL was then crowded for room outside FARSHAD which got its head on the side and shifted out. When unbalanced as a result of being bumped by SURE JOYFUL, EAGLE RUN shifted out shortly after the start and bumped D STAR which was racing tight inside FIGHTING STAR which on jumping was bumped by FUN N GLORY. In this incident, both EAGLE RUN and D STAR became badly unbalanced. D STAR then shifted out and bumped FIGHTING STAR. After this, FUN N GLORY was steadied to obtain cover. A short distance after the start, MY INTELLIGENT shifted out and bumped HARDLY SWEARS. Approaching the 1100 Metres, FIGHTING STAR raced tight outside D STAR when being steadied to obtain cover. Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, FLAMING PASSION commenced to travel very keenly and shifted out away from the heels of FIGHTING STAR after the 800 Metres when very awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, EAGLE RUN shifted out and bumped D STAR. Approaching the 500 Metres, PROSECCO raced in restricted room inside EAGLE RUN. Close to the finishing line, PROSECCO lay out and raced tight inside MY INTELLIGENT. Throughout the race, INSPIRING CITY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, L Ferraris stated that he was asked to ride D STAR in as forward a position as possible tonight. He said after being hampered at the start, he rode his mount along in order to comply with his instructions and D STAR initially responded to his riding and he was hopeful that the horse would be able to show sufficient speed to cross FARSHAD after the 1100 Metres. He said making the turn near the 1050 Metres D STAR became unbalanced of its own accord and lost momentum, resulting in the horse losing ground despite continuing to be ridden along. He said this resulted in D STAR being left racing three wide but with cover and further back in the field than had been hoped. He added that he had to ride his mount along after the 700 Metres in order to maintain his position and after coming under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn finished the race off satisfactorily in the Straight considering the run that the horse had experienced. He said, in his opinion, D STAR, which was only having its second race start tonight, is very immature and would benefit from further racing. A veterinary inspection of D STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HARDLY SWEARS and ISLAND SURPRISE were sent for sampling.