01/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 8

On arrival at the Start, L Hewitson expressed concern regarding the action of RED MAJESTY. RED MAJESTY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said after the necessary consultations that the horse was suitable to race. LESLIE shifted out at the start and made contact with CASA COSMO, resulting in CASA COSMO being taken out and bumping GALLANT WAKING which jumped awkwardly. From the outside barrier, ZONE D was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, GALLANT CROWN raced keenly when being steadied to obtain a position with cover behind EXCEPTIONAL NICE. Near the 1500 Metres, CASA COSMO, which was inclined to race keenly after bumping with LESLIE, was steadied to avoid the heels of GALLANT CROWN (L Ferraris) which shifted in when not quite clear. L Ferraris was advised to exercise more care. GALLANT WAKING, which was following CASA COSMO, was steadied to avoid that runner, resulting in STORM LEGEND also having to be steadied to avoid GALLANT WAKING. Approaching the 150 Metres, ZONE D experienced difficulty obtaining clear running when held up behind RED MAJESTY. ZONE D was then shifted to the outside of RED MAJESTY and STAR CONTACT where it secured clear running inside the 100 Metres. MAJESTIC VICTORY raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding the performance of STORM LEGEND, H Bentley stated that from a wide barrier he was asked to ride STORM LEGEND conservatively in the early stages to find cover. He said due to the slow pace in the early stages, the race developed into a sprint home and as a result STORM LEGEND found it difficult to make up ground when placed under pressure from the 500 Metres. He added that after improving to the outside of ALL BEAUTY making the Home Turn, STORM LEGEND became awkward in its action when ALL BEAUTY shifted out slightly and as a consequence STORM LEGEND made the Home Turn awkwardly and ran wide. He said as a result STORM LEGEND took some time to balance after this incident, but was unable to finish the race off as well as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of STORM LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of CASA COSMO, Z Purton stated that his mount raced too keenly in the early stages with the slow pace and as a consequence was left without a finishing effort when placed under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of CASA COSMO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STAR CONTACT, HAPPY DAILY and EXCEPTIONAL NICE were sent for sampling.