04/07/2018  Happy Valley  Race 2

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to FOREVER POSH was replaced. OPEN HOUSE began awkwardly. VICTORY FOLLOW ME also began awkwardly and struck the inside of its gate on jumping, VICTORY FOLLOW ME then shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SPINNING DANCER. TRIUMPHAL WIN shifted in at the start and bumped GOLD VELVET. Then from the outside barriers, GOLD VELVET and TRIUMPHAL WIN were steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. BRING IT ON was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, SPARKLING SWORD shifted out and inconvenienced DIAMOND FRIENDS. FOREVER POSH was left racing wide and without cover near the 1300 Metres and after the 1000 Metres was allowed to improve its position, however, continued to race wide and without cover. FOREVER POSH then got its head on the side and lay out after the 500 Metres and in the Straight gave ground. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, both BRING IT ON and GOLD VELVET were checked away from the runners in front. TRIUMPHAL WIN, which was following GOLD VELVET, was checked and ELECTRIC LIGHTNING, which was following BRING IT ON, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Approaching the 500 Metres, DIAMOND FRIENDS raced close to the heels of SPARKLING SWORD after endeavouring to improve between that horse and GLORIAM where there was insufficient room. Rounding the Home Turn, BRING IT ON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLD VELVET. Near the 300 Metres, SPARKLING SWORD raced close to the heels of STARLIT KNIGHT when being shifted out from behind that horse to obtain clear running. Close to the finishing line, GOLD VELVET raced tight outside STARLIT KNIGHT and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, K Teetan stated that it had been intended for ELECTRIC LIGHTNING to be shifted across behind runners in the early stages as the horse had recently not finished off its race when ridden forward from wide barriers. He said as he did not want ELECTRIC LIGHTNING to begin well which may have resulted in him having to ride against his instructions, he shortened his hold accordingly, however, when ELECTRIC LIGHTNING began, the horse immediately threw its head up which resulted in him becoming unbalanced and ELECTRIC LIGHTNING losing ground. He said this resulted in ELECTRIC LIGHTNING racing further back in the field than had been intended in the early stages. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SPARKLING SWORD had sustained superficial abrasions to the left hind fetlock and hock. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY FOLLOW ME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLD VELVET, SPARKLING SWORD and STARLIT KNIGHT were sent for sampling.