24/06/2015  Happy Valley  Race 3

AFFLUENCE OF RAIN began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped BRAVE BROTHER. AFFLUENCE OF RAIN then shifted in shortly after the start and lost ground when steadied away from the heels of DIVINE BOY which was taken out marginally by FUN TAPESTRY. Shortly after the start, BRAVE BROTHER and FISH N’ CHIPS bumped. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, SPITFIRE failed to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. Also despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, DIVINE BOY was slow to muster speed and then making the first turn near the 1000 Metres was steadied in an attempt to obtain a trailing position behind FUN TAPESTRY which got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOP BONUS. Due to TARZAN I AM improving its position inside DIVINE BOY, that horse was left racing in a three wide position. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, FUN TAPESTRY continued to prove difficult to settle. On a number of occasions after the 900 Metres, PROMPT EXPRESS (N Callan), which raced ungenerously in the lead, shifted ground, resulting in TOP BONUS being hampered. After the race, N Callan stated that because of the manner in which PROMPT EXPRESS refused to settle, the horse was then not able to finish off the race. Near the 800 Metres, TOP BONUS was taken out by PROMPT EXPRESS which shifted out, resulting in FOTOGENIC and HAPPY CHAMPION being inconvenienced. After the 800 Metres, DIVINE BOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY CHAMPION. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, TARZAN I AM got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of FUN TAPESTRY. Approaching the 500 Metres, SPITFIRE, which was proving difficult to settle, blundered when being checked away from the heels of TARZAN I AM. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TARZAN I AM had sustained superficial wounds to the left hind tendon region. Near the 250 Metres, FUN TAPESTRY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PROMPT EXPRESS when being shifted to the outside of that horse after being disappointed for running inside PROMPT EXPRESS which shifted in marginally under pressure. Passing the 200 Metres, HAPPY CHAMPION was shifted out away from the heels of FUN TAPESTRY and FOTOGENIC to obtain clear running. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by B Prebble, the rider of FABIO, which finished second, against TOP BONUS being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount near the 150 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the official videos, the Stewards found that at about the 150 Metres FABIO and TOP BONUS made contact due to both horses shifting ground. As the incident was as a consequence of both horses shifting ground and having regard to the margin between the horses at the end of the race, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Passing the 100 Metres, DIVINE BOY was awkwardly placed outside HAPPY CHAMPION which was taken out by FOTOGENIC which shifted out under pressure before being corrected by its rider. Throughout the race, FOTOGENIC travelled wide and without cover. For the majority of the race, FISH N’ CHIPS also travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of DIVINE BOY and PROMPT EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOP BONUS and FABIO were sent for sampling.