02/04/2014  Happy Valley  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to FORTUNE TERRITORY was refitted. NOBODY BUT YOU was crowded for room on jumping between FORTUNE TERRITORY which shifted in and VICTORY GENERAL which shifted out after being brushed by SPITFIRE. From a wide barrier, JOYFUL MISSION got its head up when being taken across behind runners in the early stages. PERI PERI SAFFRON was also shifted in behind runners shortly after the start. After the 900 Metres, SILVER DRAGON and SKY FAR raced tight. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, FORTUNE TERRITORY got its head on the side and lay out. Then approaching the 500 Metres, FORTUNE TERRITORY was bumped by PERI PERI SAFFRON which shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY CHAMPION. VICTORY GENERAL got its head on the side and made the Home Turn awkwardly. After the 300 Metres, FRIENDS OF YAN OI raced tight between SPITFIRE and VICTORY GENERAL when attempting tight running between those horses. Near the 150 Metres, PROSPERITY AETHON was crowded for room between SKY FAR and NOBODY BUT YOU which shifted out before being corrected by its rider. Over about the final 75 Metres, JOYFUL MISSION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOBODY BUT YOU and because of this was not able to be fully tested over the concluding stages. When questioned, N Callan stated that it had been stressed upon him to attempt to obtain cover on SKY FAR as the horse had over-raced in the lead at its last start. He said as there did not appear to be much pace in the race, it was felt that SKY FAR would be able to obtain cover behind the leading division in the early stages. He said SKY FAR began very well and shortly after the start he steadied the horse with a view to obtaining a position with cover behind VICTORY GENERAL. He said at about the 1100 Metres he looked to his inside and felt that SILVER DRAGON was being steadied to obtain a position possibly on the fence behind FRIENDS OF YAN OI and he was hopeful that this would occur which would allow SKY FAR to obtain cover behind VICTORY GENERAL. He said however that SILVER DRAGON maintained its position outside of FRIENDS OF YAN OI and because of this he was left racing three wide without cover making the first turn after the 1000 Metres. He added when left racing without cover, SKY FAR again over-raced and because of this was not able to finish off the race. Mr A Lee, the trainer of SKY FAR, stated that he was concerned regarding what appeared to be a lack of pace in the race and advised Jockey Callan that SKY FAR had over-raced at its last start and that he wished for the horse to be ridden with cover if at all possible. He said he was surprised by how well SKY FAR began tonight which, in his opinion, placed Jockey Callan in an awkward position to carry out his instructions. A veterinary inspection of SKY FAR immediately following the race found that horse to have blood at its right nostril. An endoscopic examination revealed blood to be in the trachea and accordingly SKY FAR was deemed to have bled. SKY FAR was also found to be lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SKY FAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY GENERAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SILVER DRAGON and PERI PERI SAFFRON were sent for sampling.