28/01/2015  Happy Valley  Race 4

SURE CHAMP, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began very awkwardly and lost ground. VARA PEARL shifted out at the start, resulting in GOOD METHOD being taken out onto PERFECT HEDGE. WIN IT began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, LIGHTNING AND GOLD and HEROIC GURU were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being ridden along in the early stages to take up a forward position, DASHING SUPER got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in PERFECT HEDGE and DASHING SUPER racing tight for some distance approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion. Then near the 1300 Metres, PERFECT HEDGE was further crowded for room between DASHING SUPER and WIN IT which shifted out. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ELEGANCE KLAMMER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ROBUST MOMENTUM. Passing the 1200 Metres, ROBUST MOMENTUM got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle when being steadied to obtain cover behind VARA PEARL. Near the 500 Metres, VARA PEARL got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT HEDGE. Passing the 300 Metres, HEROIC GURU was shifted in away from the heels of ELEGANCE KLAMMER after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. HEROIC GURU then had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 100 Metres. Over the concluding stages, ELEGANCE KLAMMER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of VARA PEARL. Also over the concluding stages, GOOD METHOD was held up for clear running behind GRACEFUL KINGDOM after attempting to obtain tight running inside that horse. Because of this, GOOD METHOD was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding his riding in the early part of the Straight, M Demuro (OWNERS’ GLORY) stated that at the entrance to the Straight he was positioned behind DASHING SUPER albeit some lengths behind that horse. He said as the rider of DASHING SUPER had the whip in the right hand and as DASHING SUPER was also racing to the outside of ELEGANCE KLAMMER which appeared to be travelling well, he anticipated that either DASHING SUPER may shift out of its own accord or may be taken out by ELEGANCE KLAMMER and therefore he elected to shift OWNERS’ GLORY to the inside of DASHING SUPER to follow ELEGANCE KLAMMER through. He said whilst he was aware that a run was available to the outside of DASHING SUPER at this time, due to the possibility that the horse may shift out, he felt his best option at the time was to follow ELEGANCE KLAMMER through as that horse was travelling well. He added that, in retrospect, he had erred in taking this option as OWNERS’ GLORY was then held up for clear running for a short distance when improving into tight running between HEROIC GURU and DASHING SUPER. M Demuro was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in not improving OWNERS’ GLORY to the outside of DASHING SUPER and inside PERFECT HEDGE. M Demuro was advised to ensure that he avails himself of clear and uninterrupted running wherever circumstances permit. When questioned regarding the performance of DASHING SUPER, M Guyon stated that he had to make use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position and was then required to race three wide and without cover until near the 900 Metres at which time the horse was able to shift in to race outside the lead. He said making the turn after the 600 Metres DASHING SUPER got its head on the side and lay in and after this gave ground. A veterinary inspection of DASHING SUPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ROBUST MOMENTUM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WIN IT, GRACEFUL KINGDOM and VARA PEARL were sent for sampling.