06/01/2016  Happy Valley  Race 1

MASTER VIKING shifted out at the start and bumped NOVEL START. OPTIMISM began only fairly. CHARTER VICTORIA was crowded for room shortly after the start between DELIGHT FORTUNE and JET SET DRAGON which shifted out after being bumped by SAMMY'S EMPIRE. Shortly after the start, JADE PIPPO was bumped by GIDDY GIDDY which shifted in. From a wide barrier, JADE PIPPO was then shifted across behind runners. Near the 1150 Metres, DELIGHT FORTUNE raced tight between JET SET DRAGON and FOREVER FUN, both of which shifted ground. After the 1000 Metres, JET SET DRAGON, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when racing in restricted room inside FOREVER FUN which shifted in away from GIDDY GIDDY. After the 500 Metres, OPTIMISM got its head on the side and lay out. GIDDY GIDDY lost its left hind plate near the 400 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn, NOVEL START was bumped by OPTIMISM which shifted out away from the heels of GIDDY GIDDY which commenced to give ground. Approaching the 200 Metres, GIDDY GIDDY, which was giving ground abruptly, became unbalanced after being bumped by CHARTER VICTORIA which shifted out. Near the 150 Metres, SAMMY'S EMPIRE was shifted to the inside of NOVEL START to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, KING OF SMARTS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, R Fourie stated that he had been instructed to ride JET SET DRAGON in about 3rd or 4th position if possible. He said after beginning with the field, a number of horses drawn inside JET SET DRAGON were ridden to obtain forward positions and he believed that he would have had to ride JET SET DRAGON along in the early stages to cross runners to his inside, in particular NOVEL START. He said as he felt that the tempo in the early stages was quite good, he elected to steady JET SET DRAGON in the run to the first turn and obtain cover rather than make too much use of the horse to take up a forward position as instructed. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GIDDY GIDDY, N Rawiller stated that he commenced to become concerned with the manner in which the horse was travelling after the 500 Metres when it was unable to improve its position with the leader and eventual winner MASTER VIKING. He said at this time he placed GIDDY GIDDY under pressure and the horse commenced to get its head up and was not stretching out. He added he rode GIDDY GIDDY along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse did not feel comfortable and gave ground noticeably in the Straight. He said as he had concerns regarding GIDDY GIDDY, he eased it down over about the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of GIDDY GIDDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GIDDY GIDDY was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GIDDY GIDDY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of JET SET DRAGON and CHARTER VICTORIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHARTER VICTORIA, MASTER VIKING and OPTIMISM were sent for sampling.