19/03/2014  Happy Valley  Race 5

FOLLOW THE WIND was crowded for room at the start between DARK SECRET and OXFORD CHARLEY which shifted in. In this incident, FOLLOW THE WIND bumped the hindquarters of DARK SECRET which became unbalanced. From a wide barrier, SURE CHAMP was taken across behind runners in the early stages. After initially being ridden along from the outside barrier, BACKBENCH BLUES, when racing wide, was taken across behind runners and passing the 1700 Metres got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of OXFORD CHARLEY. When being steadied to allow SMART UNION to cross passing the winning post on the first occasion, CLASSY VICTOR got its head up on a number of occasions. HO HO LIFE lost its right front plate approaching the 600 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn, BACKBENCH BLUES was awkwardly placed between runners. Over the concluding stages, FOLLOW THE WIND and DARK SECRET raced in restricted room between MAZANDARAN and SURE CHAMP and consequently was not able to be properly tested right to the end of the race. When questioned, J Moreira stated that passing the winning post on the first occasion EXPECTATOR was left racing in a three wide position without cover beside and behind GOLDEN SCALPEL. He said after the 1300 Metres a gap appeared in advance of GOLDEN SCALPEL as the leaders of the race, MAZANDARAN and SMART UNION, had opened up somewhat of a break over the remainder of the field. He said he rode his mount aggressively after the 1300 Metres in an endeavour to improve his position forward of GOLDEN SCALPEL so as to obtain a position closer to the rail. He added however that despite being ridden along EXPECTATOR would not improve its position and in fact dropped the bit and he had difficulty in ensuring that the horse maintained its position at this stage of the race. A veterinary inspection of BACKBENCH BLUES and OXFORD CHARLEY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DRAGON BACHELOR and GOLDEN SCALPEL were sent for sampling.