15/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 3

CHEONG FAT jumped only fairly and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being shifted behind, CHEONG FAT blundered shortly after the start. MELBOURNE HALL and SUPER EAGLE brushed on jumping. H Z TOURBILLON jumped only fairly and then raced tight to the inside of TELECOM SPEED a short distance after the start. CIRCUIT TEN also jumped only fairly and soon after the start was crowded by HAPPY GATHERING which shifted out. Then passing the 1100 Metres, CIRCUIT TEN raced tight to the inside of TRAVEL GOLF which shifted in slightly before being corrected by its rider, H Bowman. Near the 900 Metres, FLAMING EAGLE shifted out when racing keenly and as a result made contact with CIRCUIT TEN. After the 600 Metres, CIRCUIT TEN was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 200 Metres, ALL IS GOOD improved into a narrow run between TRAVEL GOLF and HAPPY GATHERING. Then approaching the 150 Metres, ALL IS GOOD raced in restricted room between HAPPY GATHERING and TRAVEL GOLF which shifted out and away from E RAINBOW after being taken out slightly by E RAINBOW. Near the 100 Metres, FLAMING EAGLE was inconvenienced when TRAVEL GOLF shifted in slightly. Over the concluding stages, FLAMING EAGLE then raced tight to the inside of TRAVEL GOLF when TRAVEL GOLF shifted in slightly. After the race, L Currie stated that HAPPY UNITED raced greenly in the event and when placed under pressure in the Straight was inclined to lay in whilst it continued to race greenly and proved difficult to ride. He added that near the 75 Metres HAPPY UNITED was reluctant to improve into a narrow run between MELBOURNE HALL and E RAINBOW and as a result was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MELBOURNE HALL over the concluding stages. Also after the race, H Bowman (TRAVEL GOLF) stated that the intention was to ride his mount in a midfield position, preferably with cover. He said TRAVEL GOLF commenced well tonight and when caught wide in the early stages he elected to allow TRAVEL GOLF to stride forward and race outside the lead to avoid racing wide. He added that whilst TRAVEL GOLF initially responded to his riding in the early part of the Straight, it did not finish the race off over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of TRAVEL GOLF immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, K Teetan (TELECOM SPEED) stated that he was instructed to obtain a midfield position with cover. He said when caught wide in the early stages, he was obliged to restrain TELECOM SPEED making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres in order to obtain a position closer to the rail behind FLAMING EAGLE and this resulted in TELECOM SPEED settling slightly further back than had been anticipated. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on H Z TOURBILLON at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, H Z TOURBILLON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL IS GOOD, MELBOURNE HALL and E RAINBOW were sent for sampling.