11/03/2015  Happy Valley  Race 5

From the outside barrier, BALTIC WARRIOR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 400 Metres, MEDIC SWORDSMAN raced tight inside HAPPY HOMING which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider. Near the 150 Metres, GENUINE CHAMPION was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of MULTIEXPRESS which shifted in marginally. At the 100 Metres, HEARTILY WINS was steadied away from the heels of MEDIC SWORDSMAN. Passing the 100 Metres, MEDIC SWORDSMAN, after initially being taken out by BALTIC WARRIOR, then got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in HAPPY HOMING being steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of MEDIC SWORDSMAN. Throughout the race, SILVER DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that as WHISTLE BLOWER had travelled keenly when ridden in a forward position at its last start and had consequently raced disappointingly, he was asked to ride the horse more conservatively tonight from barrier 11. He said it was felt that there was sufficient speed in the race that if WHISTLE BLOWER were to be ridden forward, the horse would again prove difficult to settle and would not be able to finish off its race. He said therefore he shifted WHISTLE BLOWER across in the early stages and was able to obtain cover behind SECRET AGENT in a position just worse than midfield. He said after following SECRET AGENT throughout the race, WHISTLE BLOWER came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and again did not finish off its race. Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of WHISTLE BLOWER, stated that after WHISTLE BLOWER drew wide in tonight’s race, he was of the opinion that were the horse to be aggressively ridden in the early stages, WHISTLE BLOWER would likely over-race and consequently would not perform well due to the amount of work the horse would have to do to cross from its wide barrier. He added as WHISTLE BLOWER had raced disappointingly last start, he elected to have the horse ridden off the speed in the hope that it would be able to close off the race more strongly than it did. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if PEACE ON EARTH (H W Lai) had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from H W Lai, Mr D E Ferraris, the trainer of PEACE ON EARTH, and Mr T McGovern, the Starter. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was established that just prior to the start being effected, PEACE ON EARTH became fractious and turned its head to the left. It was further established that at this time PEACE ON EARTH was being assisted by a starting gate handler who was attempting to straighten its head and as this was occurring, the start was effected, resulting in PEACE ON EARTH losing ground. The Stewards formed the view that only just prior to the start being effected PEACE ON EARTH had turned its head to the left of its own accord and that the starting gate handler had not prevented it from beginning, rather he was attempting to assist the horse at this time. As the Stewards were of the opinion that PEACE ON EARTH had caused its own difficulties by becoming fractious momentarily before the start was effected, that horse was deemed to have had a fair start and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Before being allowed to race again, PEACE ON EARTH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. A veterinary inspection of PEACE ON EARTH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GENUINE CHAMPION, MULTIEXPRESS and TOMODACHI were sent for sampling.