14/01/2015  Happy Valley  Race 2

ULTIMATE WINNERS stood flat-footed as the start was effected and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. As this was the second occasion on which ULTIMATE WINNERS had lost a significant amount of ground at the start, the Stewards ruled that the horse must undertake a series of consecutive official barrier trials being before permitted to race again. As the start was effected, DIAMOND FRIENDS lifted its front feet off the ground, resulting in the horse beginning awkwardly and losing ground. TRENDIFUL, which was standing awkwardly, was crowded for room on jumping between JOLLY SPRING and WINNING EXPRESSO, both of which shifted ground. From the outside barrier, LAUGHING LORD was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being ridden along in the early stages, WINNING EXPRESSO got its head up when momentarily racing in restricted room between TRENDIFUL and JET SET DRAGON which shifted in. After the 1000 Metres, JOLLY SPRING proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HOLY STAR. HIT THE BID, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, proved difficult to settle after the 900 Metres. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, DIAMOND FRIENDS raced tight inside JOLLY SPRING which, when racing keenly, shifted in when awkwardly placed behind HOLY STAR. Rounding the Home Turn, DIAMOND FRIENDS momentarily raced tight inside JOLLY SPRING which shifted in away from the heels of HOLY STAR. Near the 150 Metres, JOLLY SPRING was shifted to the outside of HIT THE BID to obtain clear running. TRENDIFUL had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 200 Metres and then over the concluding stages was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MY LEGEND. In the Straight, HIT THE BID lay in under pressure. When questioned, M Demuro (HIT THE BID) stated that, from a wide barrier, he rode his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said JET SET DRAGON, which was drawn inside HIT THE BID, showed more early speed than his mount and for this reason making the first turn he elected to see if he was able to obtain a position behind that horse as he believed that he would have had to make too much use of HIT THE BID to clear JET SET DRAGON. He said in the early part of the Back Straight he was not able to shift in behind JET SET DRAGON and was therefore left racing in a three wide position without cover. He said although the tempo of the race slowed at the 800 Metres, he believed that he would have had to make too much use of HIT THE BID to go forward having in mind that he had ridden the horse along in the early part of the race and HIT THE BID was carrying top weight of 133 lbs. A veterinary inspection of MY LEGEND and DIAMOND FRIENDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIT THE BID, SEA WARRIOR and HAPPY HOMING were sent for sampling.