05/03/2014  Happy Valley  Race 5

M Chadwick (SUNNY PEARL) was fined a sum of $2,000 for initially weighing out without a girth and a surcingle. SMART UNION was slow to begin. PLAIN RED BANNER shifted out at the start and hampered YOUNG TALENT. After this, YOUNG TALENT was taken across behind runners. From the outside barriers, EL GRANDE and GOOD GOOD VIEW were taken across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, GOOD GOOD VIEW proved difficult to settle. Near the 900 Metres, PANTHER RUN was left racing wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, EL GRANDE was taken into a position wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, EL GRANDE lost its left front plate. After the 300 Metres, TWIN TURBO and PLAIN RED BANNER bumped due to TWIN TURBO getting its head on the side and shifting in. In the Straight, VERDANE hung in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten his mount on occasions. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if SUNNY PEARL had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from M Chadwick, Trainer P O’Sullivan and Starter, Mr T McGovern. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the official videos, it was established that simultaneously to the start being effected, SUNNY PEARL became fractious and reared, losing a substantial amount of ground and resulting in M Chadwick becoming badly unbalanced. As the Stewards were of the view that SUNNY PEARL had been afforded a fair start, that horse was deemed to be a runner. Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY PEARL will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. M Chadwick stated that after losing many lengths at the start, he was able to have SUNNY PEARL tack onto the main body of the field near the 1000 Metres. He said he shifted his mount away from the rail to provide him with options to obtain runs when they became available, however, at the 700 Metres SUNNY PEARL, despite being niggled along, came off the bridle and appeared to lose interest in the race. He said he continued to ride the horse along hands and heels in an endeavour to have it pick up and finish off the race, however, SUNNY PEARL did not respond to his riding. He added he was reluctant to use the whip on the horse having in mind the amount of ground the horse lost at the start. M Chadwick was advised to ensure that, irrespective of the circumstances, he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to ensure that they are able to finish in the best possible position. A veterinary inspection of PLAIN RED BANNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PANTHER RUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. TWIN TURBO, GOOD GOOD VIEW and YOUNG TALENT were sent for sampling.