21/01/2015  Happy Valley  Race 7

EXPECTATOR shifted out at the start, resulting in GALAXY PRANCER being crowded for room inside VITAL PRINCE. DR GOOD HABIT shifted out at the start and bumped AGIAAL. From a wide barrier, SUPREME ESSENCE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, GALAXY PRANCER got its head on the side and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of VITAL PRINCE. After the 800 Metres, DR GOOD HABIT was left racing wide and without cover. Over the final 200 Metres and particularly over the concluding stages, DR GOOD HABIT hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Over about the last 100 Metres, HAPPY ROCKY was unable to obtain clear running and consequently was not able to be tested. Over the concluding stages, KIROV and SUPREME ESSENCE raced tight. The performance of VITAL PRINCE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VITAL PRINCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, C Y Ho (KIROV) stated that rounding the Home Turn he anticipated that LITTLE DRAGON would shift out which would allow his mount to improve between that horse and EXPECTATOR. He said however that LITTLE DRAGON shifted out marginally and as he attempted to improve to that horse’s inside, LITTLE DRAGON then shifted back in which resulted in KIROV being held up for clear running until prior to the 200 Metres. When questioned, N Callan stated that he had been asked to ride LITTLE DRAGON in a forward position from the outside barrier. He said he had to ride his mount aggressively in the early stages to take up a forward position and passing the 1300 Metres was left racing in a three wide position without cover. He said he had hoped that he might be able to obtain a position behind KIROV and in front of HO IN ONE, however, when HO IN ONE maintained its position inside LITTLE DRAGON, he was required to allow his mount to stride forward after the 1000 Metres to obtain the position outside the leader TWIN DELIGHT which he was able to do approaching the 700 Metres. He said because of the amount of use he had to make of LITTLE DRAGON in the early and middle stages, the horse then was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of LITTLE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TWIN DELIGHT and EXPECTATOR were sent for sampling.