25/02/2015  Happy Valley  Race 5

TOM’S CHARM shifted out at the start and bumped SPINNING DANCER. From wide barriers, SKIP COURT, GOOD METHOD and EVERYONE’S FORTUNE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain a position with cover, G-ONE LEADER got its head up on a number of occasions in the early stages. Approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, G-ONE LEADER and SKIP COURT raced tight. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, G-ONE LEADER got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHINA DELIGHT which was awkwardly placed behind JUMBO SPIRIT. After the 800 Metres, JUMBO SPIRIT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FRESH AND FRESH. Approaching the 50 Metres, TOM’S CHARM was crowded for room between VARA PEARL which got its head on the side and shifted out and SPINNING DANCER (M Demuro) which hung in. A short distance later, VARA PEARL became unbalanced after being bumped by TOM’S CHARM which remained racing tight inside SPINNING DANCER which continued to hang in despite the efforts of its rider. As the Stewards were satisfied that M Demuro had made every endeavour to prevent SPINNING DANCER from shifting in, no further action was taken. Because of this, M Demuro was unable to fully test SPINNING DANCER, which continued to race with its head on the side, over the concluding stages. When questioned, J Moreira stated that at its last start it had been intended for TOM’S CHARM to be ridden behind the speed from a wide barrier and with cover if possible. He said on that occasion, from the outside barrier, TOM’S CHARM did not begin as well as he expected and as the horse was drawn wide, he elected to shift it across behind runners in the early stages which resulted in it, although racing successfully, being positioned further back in the field than had been intended. He said drawn more favourably tonight in barrier 4, he was again asked to try and position TOM’S CHARM behind the speed with cover if possible as it was anticipated that the race would not be run at a quick tempo. He said after beginning well he had to ride TOM’S CHARM along shortly after the start to cross JUMBO SPIRIT to his inside as that horse was maintaining its position one horse away from the rail and he did not want to be caught unnecessarily wide on TOM’S CHARM. He said approaching the winning post on the first occasion he was able to shift in to race outside the leader FRESH AND FRESH and as MAZANDARAN and VARA PEARL were racing outside TOM’S CHARM, he had hoped that those horses would continue forward which would provide TOM’S CHARM with cover. He said however that after passing the winning post on the first occasion MAZANDARAN was steadied to obtain a position with cover behind TOM’S CHARM and whilst VARA PEARL did continue forward, that horse was able to improve into the lead after the 1100 Metres. He said after VARA PEARL crossed to the lead, the tempo of the race slowed noticeably and TOM’S CHARM improved its position to be racing outside and behind VARA PEARL without cover. He said the circumstances of the race resulted in TOM’S CHARM being left racing without cover and, in his opinion, this was the reason for the horse’s failure to finish off the race in the Straight. He added he was of the opinion that TOM’S CHARM does not need to be ridden from back in the field as at its last start when successful, however, the horse performs better when able to be ridden with cover. A veterinary inspection of MAZANDARAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOM’S CHARM, JUMBO SPIRIT and FORGIVE AND FORGET were sent for sampling.