14/05/2014  Happy Valley  Race 8

HAWTHORNE began awkwardly and then was slow to muster speed in the early stages. YOU READ MY MIND began only fairly. BE THERE AHEAD began awkwardly and lost ground at the start. Shortly after the start, MASSIVE IMPACT was steadied away from the heels of SEASONS STAR which shifted out. From a wide barrier, CHOICE TREASURE was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1000 Metres, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAWTHORNE. Near the 200 Metres, PEARL WIN and CHOICE TREASURE bumped. Close to the finishing line, KING’S STEED and YOU READ MY MIND raced tight. When questioned, K Teetan stated that he had been asked to ride PEARL WIN positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position if possible. He said PEARL WIN began well and when YOU READ MY MIND was ridden forward to his inside, he had hoped that SEASONS STAR would be ridden forward with that horse which would allow PEARL WIN the opportunity to obtain a position with cover behind the speed. He said however that SEASONS STAR allowed YOU READ MY MIND to cross and because of this PEARL WIN was not able to shift in and consequently raced wide and without cover throughout the race. Trainer A T Millard confirmed that he had instructed Jockey Teetan to be positive on PEARL WIN in the early stages, however, he did not expect that the horse would show the early speed that it did on this occasion. He added in some of its previous races the horse had come off the bridle and for this reason he did not expect that PEARL WIN would be as far forward as it was in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of PEARL WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING’S STEED, SEASONS STAR and MR GINGER were sent for sampling.