15/02/2023  Happy Valley  Race 3

ONE FOR ALL, which became fractious and sustained a minor laceration to its left front leg whilst being transported to Happy Valley, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was lame in its left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, ONE FOR ALL was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, ONE FOR ALL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination FARIBAULT and G ONE EXCELLENT brushed at the start. Then shortly after the start, G ONE EXCELLENT was awkwardly placed on the heels of CHEVAL VALIANT which shifted in slightly. GOOD VIEW GLORY was hampered at the start when crowded by MAGIC SUPREME which shifted out. GOOD VIEW GLORY was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier. HANDSOME REBEL and NICETOBEMET bumped on jumping. NICETOBEMET was then also shifted across behind runners in the early stages from the outside barrier. Approaching the first turn at the 600 Metres, NICETOBEMET commenced to race fiercely, shifted out and was checked away from the heels of FINGERS CROSSED. As a result, FARIBAULT, which was positioned to the outside of NICETOBEMET, was hampered and taken wider and GOOD VIEW GLORY was then steadied to avoid the heels of FARIBAULT. The racing manners of NICETOBEMET were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NICETOBEMET will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend. Approaching the 250 Metres, G ONE EXCELLENT was shifted to the outside of MAGIC SUPREME to obtain clear running, resulting in HANDSOME REBEL racing in restricted room for a short distance near the 200 Metres to the inside of NICETOBEMET. Near the 250 Metres, MOMENTUM GALAXY was shifted to the inside of G ONE EXCELLENT to continue into clear running. When questioned regarding his riding, H Bowman (FARIBAULT) advised that he had expected to take up a forward position on the horse and from a favourable barrier anticipated to be settling behind the lead. He said in the early stages he allowed FARIBAULT to settle in an on-pace position but when FINGERS CROSSED which was to his outside showed superior pace, rather than contesting that position, he elected to obtain cover behind that runner. He added that when FINGERS CROSSED was crossed by ATOMIC ENERGY at the 750 Metres, this resulted in FARIBAULT settling further back than anticipated. He said near the 650 Metres his mount was hampered when taken wider by NICETOBEMET and on straightening improved to the outside of NICETOBEMET where he placed FARIBAULT under hard hands and heels riding to the finish of the race. He said in the circumstances he felt that he had applied sufficient vigour to his mount as it was responding to his urgings in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of FARIBAULT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. G ONE EXCELLENT and ATOMIC ENERGY were sent for sampling.