08/09/2010  Happy Valley  Race 8

MULTIPROUD was slow to begin. Near the 450 Metres, MULTIPROUD hung out across the heels of CARS KING PRAWN, resulting in TEAM WORK being taken out onto RAINBOW SEEKER which were both hampered. Shortly after entering the Straight, CARS KING PRAWN shifted out and bumped LUCKY FOLLOW ME, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Throughout the race, LUCKY FOLLOW ME travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of RAINBOW SEEKER, J Lloyd stated that it was felt that horses drawn to the inside of RAINBOW SEEKER would have superior speed and that were he to ride his mount along in the early stages, RAINBOW SEEKER may be left travelling wide. He said he was therefore instructed to take RAINBOW SEEKER across behind runners and obtain cover. He said shortly after the start he was able to obtain a position behind CARS KING PRAWN in a two wide position. He said passing the 550 Metres he shifted RAINBOW SEEKER out to follow LUCKY FOLLOW ME. He said rounding the Home Turn he was awkwardly placed behind and slightly to the inside of that horse, therefore he elected at the top of the Straight to shift RAINBOW SEEKER out to obtain clear running. He said in the Straight he rode RAINBOW SEEKER out with the whip in the right hand and the horse finished off the race strongly. J Lloyd was advised his explanation would be reported, however, it was of concern to the Stewards that he remained positioned to the inside of LUCKY FOLLOW ME rounding the Home Turn rather than shifting directly to that horse’s outside. J Lloyd was also advised that his vigour in the Straight, bearing in mind the manner in which RAINBOW SEEKER was closing off the race, had come under notice and that in the future he should ride his mounts in such a fashion as to leave no room for query. FREE AND EASY, GOLDEN BAUHINIA and MY TIME were sent for sampling.