30/04/2014  Happy Valley  Race 7

After being loaded, DINING STAR became fractious and reared, resulting in its rider, K Teetan, being dislodged. After being remounted, DINING STAR continued to be fractious. Before being allowed to race again, DINING STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. SPEEDY WINNER was slow to begin. COUR VALANT was crowded for room at the start between SUNNY FAY which was positioned inside GLORY OF LONGWAH and GETAWAY GUY which shifted out. Shortly after the start, ALL WIN BOY momentarily raced in restricted room between DINING STAR and MERIDIAN TREASURE which shifted out. From the outside barrier, TONYBOY was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, TONYBOY, which was over-racing, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLORY OF LONGWAH. LUCKY DAY lost its left hind plate at the 900 Metres. GLORY OF LONGWAH lost its right hind plate passing the 800 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, MERIDIAN TREASURE became unbalanced after being bumped by GETAWAY GUY (H Bowman) which attempted to shift out into clear running to the outside of DINING STAR. H Bowman was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the 100 Metres, GETAWAY GUY and MERIDIAN TREASURE raced tight as GETAWAY GUY improved its position to the outside of DINING STAR which shifted out under pressure. Close to the finishing line, GETAWAY GUY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COUR VALANT. Throughout the race, HAWTHORNE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SILLY BUDDIES, O Doleuze stated that after being loaded for some time due to DINING STAR being fractious, SILLY BUDDIES began only fairly when the start was effected. He said he initially had to ride his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position which he was able to do near the 1100 Metres. He said as he was instructed to obtain the position behind the leaders if possible, he took hold of his mount making the first turn to allow horses to his outside to improve their positions around SILLY BUDDIES. He said however that when the runners to SILLY BUDDIES’ outside did not go forward as he anticipated, SILLY BUDDIES was left racing in the lead inside DINING STAR. He added although SILLY BUDDIES was not able to obtain cover, this did not concern him as it was travelling strongly and the race was not being run at a fast tempo. He said SILLY BUDDIES continued to travel well until rounding the Home Turn, however, came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and then did not finish off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SILLY BUDDIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY DAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SILLY BUDDIES, COUR VALANT and ALL WIN BOY were sent for sampling.