10/01/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

COOL ARMY bounded in the air at the start and then on landing became badly unbalanced, resulting in the horse losing ground. Before being allowed to race again, COOL ARMY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SPRING WIN shifted in at the start and bumped NASHASHUK. From the outside barriers, COUR VALANT, LOVE CHUNGHWA, CLEAR CHOICE and ALCAZAR were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied in the lead, NASHASHUK got its head up on a number of occasions between the 1100 Metres and the 900 Metres. Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, ALCAZAR became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PADDINGTON. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, COUR VALANT got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of THE SHOW, resulting in COUR VALANT being awkwardly placed inside that horse for some distance. Passing the 600 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of COUR VALANT. Approaching and passing the 500 Metres, COUR VALANT was checked away from the heels of THE SHOW. Rounding the Home Turn, CLEAR CHOICE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COUR VALANT. Passing the 250 Metres, O Doleuze (COOL ARMY) dropped his whip. Approaching the 50 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE lay in under pressure behind THE SHOW. When questioned, C Schofield stated that it was intended for PADDINGTON to be ridden in a forward position. He said it was expected that BINGO would lead the race and it was hoped that PADDINGTON would be able to race outside that horse. He said he was told however if BINGO was not ridden to lead the race, then it was acceptable for him to take up the running. He said PADDINGTON began only fairly which resulted in most horses drawn to the inside of PADDINGTON immediately having an advantage over it. He said because of this he elected not to press forward on PADDINGTON, rather he felt the opportunity was available to shift the horse behind the speed and obtain a good trailing position. He said when being steadied in the early stages to obtain a position behind THE SHOW, PADDINGTON travelled keenly and it took him some time to be able to steady his mount such that he could direct PADDINGTON in behind THE SHOW. He added this allowed COUR VALANT the opportunity to improve its position inside PADDINGTON which resulted in that horse racing further back in the field than had been intended and having to race wide and without cover throughout. A veterinary inspection of PADDINGTON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NASHASHUK, SPRING WIN and BINGO were sent for sampling.