01/11/2015  Happy Valley  Race 9

HAPPY PLACE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of CLUB LIFE. Then from the outside barrier, HAPPY PLACE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, PHOTON WILLIE was steadied in the early stages and taken across behind runners. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HAPPY PLACE was steadied after attempting to improve into tight running inside FIRST SIGHT LOVE which was racing tight inside CHATER DREAM. Passing the 1100 Metres, MEDIC KINGDOM got its head up when proving difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROYAL SPIRIT. In the early part of the Straight, ROYAL PARTNER raced in restricted room between ROYAL SPIRIT and BEAUTY LEAD. Passing the 200 Metres, FIRST SIGHT LOVE (M L Yeung) got its head on the side and lay out under pressure, resulting in BEAUTY LEAD being momentarily eased away from the heels of FIRST SIGHT LOVE at the 150 Metres. M L Yeung was advised to exercise more care. Over the concluding stages, ROYAL PARTNER was crowded for room between FIRST SIGHT LOVE which continued to shift out under pressure and HAPPY PLACE (J Moreira) which shifted in marginally under pressure. Due to the circumstances, J Moreira stopped riding HAPPY PLACE close to the finishing line and directed his mount out to relieve the tightening to ROYAL PARTNER. Throughout the race, MEDALLIST travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of MEDALLIST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MEDALLIST, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MEDALLIST will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, N Callan stated that, from barrier 9, it had been hoped that SPEEDY LONGWAH would be able to lead in the early stages before possibly handing up to CLUB LIFE. He said he was asked to shift across with MEDIC KINGDOM and hopefully obtain a position one horse off the rail. He said MEDIC KINGDOM was aggressively ridden in the early stages to take up a forward position, however, was not able to do so as LUCKY HAMMER was also being ridden along and for this reason MEDIC KINGDOM was left racing one horse off the rail which resulted in SPEEDY LONGWAH being obliged to race in a three wide position without cover passing the winning post on the first occasion. He added that after CLUB LIFE crossed into the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion he was reluctant to ride his mount along in an attempt to cross MEDIC KINGDOM given that it was apparent to him that MEDALLIST, which was racing very wide, was improving its position and SPEEDY LONGWAH would be able to obtain cover behind that horse albeit in a three wide position. He said when MEDALLIST crossed in front of SPEEDY LONGWAH after the 1100 Metres, SPEEDY LONGWAH was then able to obtain cover behind that horse. He said as SPEEDY LONGWAH was carrying top weight, he was reluctant to improve around MEDALLIST making the turn near the 550 Metres, rather he followed MEDIC KINGDOM through and was able to track into the race nicely rounding the Home Turn. He said in the early part of the Straight he was able to obtain clear running, however, SPEEDY LONGWAH could only finish off the race one-paced. He said because of the circumstances of the race, he felt that the horse had raced satisfactorily. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY LONGWAH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPEEDY LONGWAH, PHOTON WILLIE and CLUB LIFE were sent for sampling.