11/03/2015  Happy Valley  Race 6

Just prior to the start being effected, BEST TANGO became fractious and put its head down, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, BEST TANGO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SMILING WATCH shifted out at the start and bumped ALBICELESTE. HORSE OF FORTUNE, which began awkwardly, was bumped shortly after the start by TURBO JEWELLERY which shifted out. From a wide barrier, REAL GENEROUS was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1100 Metres, STAR MAJESTIC proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BOTH SURE. At the same time, REAL GENEROUS commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of GERONIMO MEADOW which shifted out, resulting in FIRST SIGHT LOVE being hampered. After this, REAL GENEROUS continued to prove very difficult to settle. Approaching the 900 Metres, STAR MAJESTIC was left racing without cover and was consequently ridden forward to improve its position. When questioned, N Callan stated that it had been intended for LITTLE DRAGON to obtain a forward position and hopefully sit outside whatever horse led the race. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode LITTLE DRAGON aggressively in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said HORSE OF FORTUNE was ridden to maintain its position to the inside of LITTLE DRAGON and as he had pushed his horse in the early stages to go forward, he did not believe it was in its best interests to continue to ride LITTLE DRAGON forward as it appeared to him that the rider of HORSE OF FORTUNE was intent on maintaining its position. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he steadied LITTLE DRAGON with a view to obtaining a position with cover behind HORSE OF FORTUNE. He said however at this time TURBO JEWELLERY held its position one horse off the rail which resulted in LITTLE DRAGON being left racing in a three wide position without cover. He added the tempo of the race slowed after the 1200 Metres, however, as LITTLE DRAGON had taken some time to settle after being aggressively ridden in the early stages, he was reluctant to again start urging LITTLE DRAGON forward to improve its position. He said therefore he remained racing in a three wide positon and when STAR MAJESTIC improved its position after the 900 Metres, he then allowed LITTLE DRAGON to improve its position to race one horse off the rail outside and behind STAR MAJESTIC. A veterinary inspection of ALBICELESTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SMILING WATCH immediately following the race found the horse to have blood at its left nostril. An endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to have bled. SMILING WATCH was also found to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, SMILING WATCH will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STAR MAJESTIC and TURBO JEWELLERY were sent for sampling.