31/03/2016  Happy Valley  Race 2

On arrival at the Start, OPTIMISM, which kicked a rail whilst parading, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. SGT ROCK began awkwardly and lost ground. OPTIMISM was crowded for room on jumping between KING OF SMARTS which initially shifted in and WHISTLE BLOWER which shifted out and then shifted out further after becoming unbalanced when contacted on the hindquarters by OPTIMISM. From the outside barriers, GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS and RUGBY DIAMOND were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn after the 1100 Metres, GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS was steadied away from the heels of WHISTLE BLOWER which shifted out away from the heels of HURRY HURRY UP. At the 600 Metres, GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS momentarily raced tight between EAGLE KING and WHISTLE BLOWER which shifted in marginally. In the early part of the Straight, KING OF SMARTS lay in under pressure and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of FOREVER FUN. KING OF SMARTS continued to lay in under pressure for the remainder of the race. For the majority of the race, OPTIMISM raced with its head on the side and lay out whilst JUST PLEASANT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WHISTLE BLOWER, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that she had been asked to obtain a forward position on the horse if possible, however, WHISTLE BLOWER did not show sufficient early speed after becoming unbalanced shortly after the start. She said she rode her mount along for some distance after the start in an endeavour to comply with her instructions, however, other runners were able to show more speed than WHISTLE BLOWER and this resulted in the horse having to race in about a midfield position. She said in the early stages WHISTLE BLOWER was left racing wide and it was not until passing the 700 Metres that the horse was able to obtain a position with cover behind JUST PLEASANT. She added that WHISTLE BLOWER came under pressure after the 500 Metres and then did not respond to her riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of WHISTLE BLOWER immediately following the race found that horse to have an abnormally elevated heart rate (post-race distress). Before being allowed to race again, WHISTLE BLOWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HURRY HURRY UP immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small cut to the inside of the right hind leg. KING'S STEED and FOREVER FUN were sent for sampling.