26/12/2013  Happy Valley  Race 2

GOOD YIELD was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore right eye). Before being allowed to race again, GOOD YIELD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. W C Marwing (RED COURAGE) was fined the sum of $2,000 for presenting himself in the Parade Ring with the incorrect coloured cap. From the outside barrier, MONEYMAKER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 900 Metres, K-MOOCHI, which got its head on the side and shifted out making the turn, was awkwardly placed inside the heels of KIDS AND WIN which was racing tight inside JADE PIPPO which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to KIDS AND WIN. After the 500 Metres, K-MOOCHI got its head on the side and hung out and passing the 400 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLOSSOM DAILY when held up for clear running behind that horse. Passing the 400 Metres, NIGHTLIGN was steadied away from the heels of JADE PIPPO which, when giving ground, was taken out by FAY DEEP. Over the concluding stages, WELL DONE and RED COURAGE raced tight. In the Straight, NAUGHTY BABY hung in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, Trainer A Lee stated that, from barrier 11, he was concerned that as there were a number of on-pace runners, NIGHTLIGN would possibly be left racing very wide without cover if the horse were to be ridden for speed in the early stages. He said as NIGHTLIGN had run well from coming off the pace, he felt that it was in the best interests of the horse, given the make-up of tonight’s field, for it to be taken across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned, N Callan stated that it had been anticipated that JADE PIPPO, from barrier 3, would be able to obtain a position in about 5th or 6th with cover. He said in the early stages he expected KIDS AND WIN, which was positioned to the inside of JADE PIPPO, to shift across to race on the rail behind BLOSSOM DAILY which was ridden positively out of the barriers. He said this would have provided JADE PIPPO with the opportunity of racing in a one-off position. He said however that KIDS AND WIN maintained a position one horse off the fence which meant that JADE PIPPO was then left racing in a three wide position and without cover after the 700 Metres when RED COURAGE improved its position to race outside the leader. He added JADE PIPPO came under pressure after the 500 Metres and then did not close off its race when ridden along in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of JADE PIPPO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, T Angland stated that when he rode KIDS AND WIN at its most recent start, the horse was held up for clear running in the Straight after being positioned on the rail. He said therefore, from barrier 2 tonight, he elected to remain racing in a position one horse off the fence outside BLOSSOM DAILY so as to provide him with options later in the race. He said whilst it was available to him to position KIDS AND WIN behind BLOSSOM DAILY in the early stages, he felt that he would have had to unnecessarily restrain KIDS AND WIN due to the horse beginning well. He added KIDS AND WIN was able to enjoy a good run in tonight’s race, however, then did not finish off the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of K-MOOCHI and MISTER MARC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. K-MOOCHI, MONEYMAKER and WELL DONE were sent for sampling.