02/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 8

Just prior to the start being effected, O’REILLY MAGIC put its head down and consequently was slow to begin. As the start was effected, STRIKING MASCOT lifted its front feet off the ground and was slow to begin. Then a short distance later after the start, STRIKING MASCOT was steadied when crowded for room between HAPPY MASTER and BEAUTIFUL CHOICE which shifted in. Approaching the 400 Metres, MASTER GUNNER and BULLISH WIN bumped. Passing the 400 Metres, O’REILLY MAGIC was checked away from the heels of HAPPY MASTER. Approaching and passing the 200 Metes, O’REILLY MAGIC was steadied when disappointed for running between OCEAN TRANQUIL, which was weakening, and LUMINOUS, which after shifting to the inside of GILDED FLIGHT to improve its position, was taken in slightly by that horse. After this, O’REILLY MAGIC was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 50 Metres. J Victoire (BEAUTIFUL CHOICE) stated that he had been instructed that, if the tempo of the race was slow, he should obtain a forward position, however, if he was unable to do so, to have the horse racing where it was comfortable. He said immediately after the start he noticed a number of runners, both drawn inside and outside of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE, being ridden along to obtain forward positions, therefore he elected to steady BEAUTIFUL CHOICE in the hope of obtaining cover. He said approaching the winning post on the first occasion he shifted in behind BULLISH WIN, however, a number of runners maintained their positions to his inside, and for this reason he elected to continued to steady his mount and shift in to obtain a position with cover behind MASCOT FORTUNE. He said due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was obliged to race further back than had been anticipated. When questioned, D Whyte (BULLISH WIN) stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse behind the leaders if possible. He said accordingly he rode BULLISH WIN positively in the early stages to take up a forward position, however, LUMINOUS, which had drawn to his inside, maintained its position and he was unable to cross that horse despite riding BULLISH WIN along. He said for this reason approaching the winning post on the first occasion he elected to try and shift in to a position behind that horse to obtain cover. He said when he did this GO LUCKY GO maintained its position one off the fence which resulted in BULLISH WIN being left racing three wide and without cover for the majority of the race. He said however that BULLISH WIN travelled well until rounding the Home Turn at which time he placed the horse under pressure, however, it failed to respond to his riding and, in his opinion, raced “flat”. A veterinary inspection of BULLISH WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. GO LUCKY GO and LUMINOUS were sent for sampling.