08/03/2017  Happy Valley  Race 6

ALL MY GAIN was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, HAPPY BAO BEI was slow to begin and then was ridden along to obtain a forward position. After initially being steadied in the early stages, LAMAROSA was left racing very wide after the 1100 Metres and was then allowed to stride forward into the lead. FANTASTIC FEELING was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the 900 Metres, ALL MY GAIN got its head up when awkwardly placed behind GENEROUS HEART. Despite being hard ridden for some distance passing the 800 Metres, A BEAUTIFUL was unable to maintain its position inside FANTASTIC FEELING. Approaching the 600 Metres, IRON BOY was left racing wide and without cover. After the 400 Metres, OUR HERO was taken wider by HAPPY BAO BEI which got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. At the entrance to the Straight, GENEROUS HEART shifted out and brushed HAPPY BAO BEI. Near the 150 Metres, IRON BOY shifted in and bumped FANTASTIC FEELING which became unbalanced. When questioned regarding the performance of I’M A WITNESS, J Moreira stated that in accordance with the horse’s normal racing pattern, he was able to obtain a forward position on I’M A WITNESS in the early stages. He said he became concerned with the manner in which I’M A WITNESS was travelling approaching the 900 Metres when he initially commenced to ease the horse across towards the rail, it was reluctant to shift in and got its head up for a short distance. He said it was not until well into the Back Straight that he was able to shift I’M A WITNESS over to race on the rail and because of the effort that he had to make to have the horse race more tractably, he was unable to prevent LAMAROSA from crossing I’M A WITNESS after the 800 Metres. He said as soon as I’M A WITNESS was crossed by LAMAROSA, the horse immediately came off the bridle and he had to ride it along after the 700 Metres in an attempt to have it maintain its position. He added he rode I’M A WITNESS along rounding the Home Turn when LAMAROSA was asked for an effort, however, I’M A WITNESS immediately commenced to give ground and, despite being ridden along, weakened noticeably. He said on pulling up after the race I’M A WITNESS did not feel comfortable in its action, however, he was unable to detect any specific lameness issues with the horse. A veterinary inspection of I’M A WITNESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of I’M A WITNESS, a favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, I’M A WITNESS 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 IRON BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. I’M A WITNESS, ALL MY GAIN and GENEROUS HEART were sent for sampling.