15/03/2017  Happy Valley  Race 8

BLOCKER DEE shifted in at the start and bumped MOLLY’S JADE STAR. GOLDEN HARVEST and PERPETUAL TREASURE bumped heavily at the start. When being ridden along to obtain a forward position from a wide barrier, CLEVER BEAVER was crowded for room a short distance after the start between SUPER TURBO and DRAGON GENERAL, resulting in CLEVER BEAVER and DRAGON GENERAL becoming unbalanced. After this, CLEVER BEAVER, DRAGON GENERAL and SUPER TURBO were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 900 Metres, GOLDEN HARVEST was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of PERPETUAL TREASURE. Passing the 600 Metres, MALMSTEEN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MOLLY’S JADE STAR. Approaching the 500 Metres, CLEVER BEAVER was checked when racing behind SUPER TURBO and GOLDEN HARVEST. Over the final 100 Metres, CLEVER BEAVER was unable to obtain clear running and consequently was not able to be tested. Over the concluding stages, GOLDEN HARVEST and BACK IN BLACK raced tight. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SEA JADE, J Moreira stated that he was able to cross runners to his inside without having to ride his mount along vigorously to do so as SEA JADE was travelling strongly. He said after crossing PREMIERE passing the 700 Metres, SEA JADE would not relax as he expected it to and then after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn weakened noticeably over the latter stages of the race. He added that the veterinary finding that the horse had a substantial amount of blood in its trachea following the race, in his opinion, accounted for its failure to finish off the race. Before being allowed to race again, SEA JADE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, K Teetan stated that as PREMIERE was racing over 1200 Metres for the first time tonight, he had been asked to try and settle the horse in the early stages and it was anticipated that PREMIERE may be able to cross BLOCKER DEE to its inside and race outside MOLLY’S JADE STAR, thereby allowing SEA JADE to cross PREMIERE. He said BLOCKER DEE maintained its position in the early stages and as he steadied PREMIERE to allow SEA JADE to cross, the horse commenced to travel keenly and would not relax. He said when BLOCKER DEE maintained its position, he was obliged to allow PREMIERE to stride forward to clear that horse and when he did this PREMIERE continued to race keenly and would not relax. He said PREMIERE initially responded well to his riding in the early part of the Straight, however, over the final 200 Metres came under pressure and did not finish off the race. He added that, in his opinion, the manner in which PREMIERE had over-raced in the early and middle stages was the reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of PREMIERE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PREMIERE, JETWINGS and SUPER TURBO were sent for sampling.