06/03/2013  Happy Valley  Race 3

EASY TO RICH began awkwardly. WIN ESPRIT began awkwardly and shortly after the start was taken across behind runners from a wide barrier. After initially being ridden along in the early stages, EXPECTATOR was steadied passing the 1600 Metres and shifted across behind runners. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, AMBITIOUS TREASURE failed to muster speed. Shortly after entering the Straight, WIN ESPRIT was bumped by LUFFY which shifted out when giving ground. A veterinary inspection of LUFFY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LUFFY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUFFY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, T Angland (REAL GENERAL) stated that he had been following LUFFY throughout the race and passing the 800 Metres that horse appeared to come off the bridle and was being ridden along to maintain its position. He said near the 700 Metres the tempo of the race steadied and as he felt that LUFFY was going to continue to give ground, he elected to shift out from behind that horse rather than risk having another horse improve its position around REAL GENERAL which would have resulted in it being held in a pocket behind a horse that was unlikely to take him into the race. He said whilst this resulted in REAL GENERAL being left racing three wide and without cover after the 700 Metres, he felt this was a better option than remaining racing behind LUFFY which ultimately finished tailed out. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EXPECTATOR, D Whyte stated that in accordance with his instructions to have EXPECTATOR in a forward position if possible, he rode his mount along for some distance after the start. He said however that the pace of the race was good in the early stages and when a considerable number of horses were being ridden along to his inside to take up forward positions, he elected to shift across behind horses and obtain a position with cover passing the 1600 Metres. He said whilst EXPECTATOR momentarily raced three wide without cover from passing the 1300 Metres until near the 1000 Metres, he was able to shift in at that time and obtain a position with cover behind the favourite, ABLE MAGIC. He said EXPECTATOR travelled on and off the bridle at various stages of the race and when ABLE MAGIC commenced to improve its position approaching the 500 Metres, he was not able to maintain his position on the back of that horse which showed a superior turn of foot. He said he placed EXPECTATOR under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and the horse finished off the race only one-paced. He added that he had ridden EXPECTATOR in the lead up to tonight’s race and, in his opinion, that work was only satisfactory. A veterinary inspection of EXPECTATOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INVICTUS and ABLE MAGIC were sent for sampling.