Happy Valley:
Race 1 - MERCURY HANDICAP
Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Happy Valley, 18:40
Turf, "C" Course, 1200M
Prize Money: $875,000, Rating: 40-0, Class 5
Horse No. Brand No. Horse Name Race Date Race Index Description
1 K103  BLAZING BEAM  26/11/2025   213  BLAZING BEAM (K103) jumped awkwardly, shifted in, made contact with a runner and lost ground. In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 600M got its head up when being checked away from a runner. Then continued to race keenly for some distance thereafter - Race 213.
2 K138  GENERAL SMART  03/12/2025   227  GENERAL SMART (K138) jumped awkwardly and lost ground. In the early stages of the Home Straight was shifted out to obtain clear running and near the 200M became unbalanced when it made contact with a runner - Race 227.
3 J304  NEBRASKAN  19/11/2025   194  NEBRASKAN (J304) rider stated that after holding an on-pace position, when a runner improved to his outside leaving the 500M, his mount came under pressure before finishing the race off only fairly in the Home Straight. After the race was examined by the vet who said an endoscopic exam showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Has since passed an official vet exam - Race 194.
4 H464  ROBOT KNIGHT  30/11/2025   219  --
5 J545  HAPPY BOYS  03/12/2025   227  --
6 J159  SKY SONG  17/12/2025   265  SKY SONG (J159) near the 400M was steadied when awkwardly placed - Race 265.
7 J218  TEAM HAPPY  30/11/2025   218  TEAM HAPPY (J218) near the 200M became held up for clear running and was then shifted out in an attempt to obtain clear running. Passing the 100M was then steadied when disappointed for clear running. As a result could not be fully tested to the finish of the event - Race 218.
8 H292  WOODFIRE CHAMP  22/10/2025   115  WOODFIRE CHAMP (H292) rider could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. Trainer advised the horse had pleased him leading into the race and expected it to perform well. He could offer no excuse for its disappointing performance. Post-race vet inspection did not show any significant findings. Performance was considered to be disappointing compared to its previous starts. Has since performed to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and passed an official vet exam - Race 115.
9 J441  BRILLIANT FIRE  26/11/2025   208  BRILLIANT FIRE (J441) jumped only fairly. Briefly held up making the Home Turn. Near the 50M made contact with a runner. Post-race vet inspection did not show any significant findings - Race 208.
10 J344  CONCORDE STAR  19/10/2025   104  CONCORDE STAR (J344) on jumping was crowded. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight rider stated that after being positioned behind a runner on straightening he was briefly held up behind that runner leaving the 400M. He said after then shifting to the outside of that runner he continued to ride his mount along when positioned behind another runner. He added that near the 150M when the runner was laying out as it was being ridden along he then elected to shift to the inside of the runner to obtain clear running as he was concerned that the runner would continue to shift out. He stated that when the runner maintained a straight course thereafter he had some difficulty obtaining clear running for a short distance near the 100M when improving into a tight run between the two runners. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by rider were reasonable in the circumstances - Race 104.
11 H144  SONIC BOOM  26/11/2025   208  SONIC BOOM (H144) rider reported that when his mount commenced well from the outside barrier he elected to ride it forward to lead and as a consequence his mount settled more forward than intended - Race 208.
12 J179  EVER SMART  03/12/2025   227  EVER SMART (J179) shortly after the start shifted in and was bumped. Raced keenly in the early stages and for some distance leaving the 800M was steadied away from a runner - Race 227.
Standby Horse
1 J191  RICH HORSE  03/12/2025   227  --
2 H173  PODIUM  10/12/2025   246  PODIUM (H173) near the 250M shifted out to improve and was bumped - Race 246.