Happy Valley:
Race 7 - REPULSE BAY HANDICAP
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Happy Valley, 22:15
Turf, "B" Course, 1000M
Prize Money: $1,860,000, Rating: 80-60, Class 3
Horse No. Brand No. Horse Name Race Date Race Index Description
1 H092  SUPERB CAPITALIST  09/07/2025   824  --
2 J082  YOUTHFUL SPIRITS  09/07/2025   824  YOUTHFUL SPIRITS (J082) after the event rider stated that his mount failed to show sufficient pace to cross runners to his inside in the early stages and as a result was obliged to race very wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He added that as a consequence his mount did not respond strongly to his riding in the Home Straight. Following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported - Race 824.
3 H162  WINGS OF WAR  09/07/2025   827  WINGS OF WAR (H162) from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Over the final 150M raced tight - Race 827.
4 J285  LA FORZA  01/07/2025   804  LA FORZA (J285) after the event rider expressed satisfaction with his mount’s performance. Post-race vet inspection did not show any significant findings - Race 804.
5 H440  SPICY GOLD  28/05/2025   716  SPICY GOLD (H440) shortly after the start became unbalanced when bumped. Approaching the 200M raced tight - Race 716.
6 J537  ROMANTIC SON  16/07/2025   847  --
7 K202  FRIENDS OF SHAJING  09/07/2025   824  FRIENDS OF SHAJING (K202) bumped shortly after the start. The Stewards opened an inquiry into rider's riding of the horse and in particular the vigour he showed over the last 600M of the event. When questioned rider stated that he was instructed to have the horse settle where comfortable and had anticipated taking up a midfield position. He said making the turn after the 600M his mount commenced to lay out and became awkward which he attributed to the horse having its first race start at Happy Valley. He said as a result he was required to balance his mount through that section of the race which resulted in two runners improving past his mount. He added that as he continued to make the bend after the 600M it was necessary for him to balance the horse as it was still having difficulty making the turn and entering the Home Straight it took some time to fully balance up before he was able to fully ride his mount from near the 200M. He said over the final 200M he continued to test the horse to the best of his ability in a hands and heels manner whereby his mount finished the race off strongly, particularly over the final 100M. Trainer confirmed the instructions issued and stated that whilst the horse had numerous barrier trials leading into the race it had not barrier trialed at the Happy Valley circuit. He said for that reason he had stressed to rider to ensure that the horse was fully balanced before he applied full pressure to the horse in the Home Straight. He expressed satisfaction with the manner in which rider rode the horse. After considering the evidence the Stewards advised rider that, in their opinion, he should have made a greater effort from the 600M to hold his position to the inside of the 8th placegetter and in the Home Straight there was an opportunity for him to ride his mount with more vigour, particularly between the 200M and the 100M after the horse had become fully balanced. Rider was advised that he would be expected in future to ensure he rides in a manner so as to leave no room for query - Race 824.
8 J468  CANDLELIGHT DINNER  09/07/2025   824  --
9 H203  HEALTHY HEALTHY  09/07/2025   824  HEALTHY HEALTHY (H203) over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when held up behind a runner - Race 824.
10 K361  SIR CHARGE  09/07/2025   824  SIR CHARGE (K361) from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After improving to the inside of a runner making the Home Turn was then held up over the final 300M and as a result could not be ridden out to the finish of the event - Race 824.
11 K027  JUSTIFYING  22/06/2025   775  --