15/05/2013  Happy Valley  Race 3

CITY OF LIGHTS was bumped at the start by YOU ARE THE ONE which got its head on the side and shifted in. BOLERO was slow to begin. ZACHARY failed to muster speed in the early stages. From a wide barrier, PURE FORCE was taken across behind runners a short distance after the start. Approaching and passing the 900 Metres, YOU ARE THE ONE got its head up on a number of occasions when proving very difficult to settle. After the 800 Metres, when racing outside FORTUNE TOGETHER which was racing fiercely, PURE FORCE was steadied and shifted in to a position with cover behind that horse approaching the 600 Metres. Throughout the race, MR AWARD travelled wide and without cover. D Whyte stated that, from the outside barrier, it was felt that FORTUNE TOGETHER would not have sufficient speed over the 1200 Metres to cross the field into the lead and consequently may be left racing wide, therefore he was asked to take the horse across behind runners and obtain cover. He said FORTUNE TOGETHER initially raced quite tractably, however, after making the turn near the 1000 Metres commenced to prove very difficult to settle and would not respond to his efforts to have it relax. He said FORTUNE TOGETHER had previously raced in a similar manner on occasions. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE TOGETHER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. However, the Veterinary Officer reported that FORTUNE TOGETHER was unable to be properly scoped due to being fractious. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DRAGIMOVA, A Suborics stated that since its last start win he had ridden the horse in some of its track work and this work, in his opinion, was good. He said he was able to obtain a good position behind YOU ARE THE ONE and DRAGIMOVA travelled well in the early and middle stages. He said after the 600 Metres DRAGIMOVA came off the bridle and he had to ride the horse along in an endeavour to maintain its position behind YOU ARE THE ONE. He said at this time DRAGIMOVA’s action shortened, however, he continued to ride the horse along to see if it would respond to his riding. He added in the early part of the Straight DRAGIMOVA’s action continued to deteriorate and when the horse gave ground noticeably in the early part of the Straight, he eased it down over the final 200 Metres as it was not comfortable in its action. Trainer K L Man stated that DRAGIMOVA had pleased him in the lead up to tonight’s race and its preparation had been similar to that prior to its last start success. He said he was not able to offer any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance, however, did say that at its most recent start the horse was successful on a rain affected track. A veterinary inspection of DRAGIMOVA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DRAGIMOVA, a last start winner and which also finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGIMOVA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on GOLDEN HARVEST at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN HARVEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DRAGIMOVA, GOLDEN HARVEST and MULTIEXPRESS were sent for sampling.