12/10/2016  Happy Valley  Race 1

WINASWEWISH was slow to begin. AMBITIOUS SPEEDY shifted in at the start and bumped SPICY DOUBLE. Shortly after the start, SPICY DOUBLE, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY and HIGH SPEED METRO were steadied to obtain a position with cover. Also shortly after the start, PRECIOUS GEM shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of MI SAVVY BOY which became unbalanced. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, RACINGFORPLEASURE raced tight between PRECIOUS GEM and SILVER GATSBY which shifted in marginally. After the 1300 Metres, HAPPY CENTURY proved difficult to settle. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of MI SAVVY BOY. Rounding the Home Turn, HAPPY CENTURY, which was under pressure, was momentarily steadied when awkwardly placed between SILVER GATSBY and GLORY SUNSHINE. PRECIOUS GEM, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY CENTURY and WINASWEWISH, which was following HAPPY CENTURY, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in RACINGFORPLEASURE being taken wider. MI SAVVY BOY, which was following RACINGFORPLEASURE, was hampered in consequence. After this, HAPPY CENTURY gave ground abruptly. Passing the 300 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE was shifted to the inside of SAFARI MAGIC after being disappointed for running between that horse and HAPPY CENTURY which was giving ground. The performance of HAPPY CENTURY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY CENTURY 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, D Whyte stated that he had to make considerable use of SILVER GATSBY in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion it was left racing wide and without cover and he did consider improving forward to obtain a position closer to the rail in the middle stages, however, he felt that given the amount of use he had made of SILVER GATSBY in the early stages, this would be detrimental to the horse’s chance, therefore he elected to have the horse remain balanced albeit racing wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of MI SAVVY BOY, C Schofield stated he had hoped that MI SAVVY BOY would be able to obtain a reasonably prominent position, however, he would have had to ride his mount aggressively in the early stages in an attempt to have it obtain a more forward position and therefore it settled slightly further back than had been hoped. He said MI SAVVY BOY never travelled comfortably and was always being niggled at to maintain its position. A veterinary inspection of MI SAVVY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINASWEWISH and SAFARI MAGIC were sent for sampling.