26/09/2018  Happy Valley  Race 7

DEMONS ROCK began very awkwardly and shifted out on jumping, resulting in SMART BOY losing ground when crowded for room inside HEALTHY LUCK. As the start was effected, BREEDERS’ STAR lifted its front feet off the ground and then began awkwardly, resulting in the horse losing ground. BETTER CHOICE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of STORM SIGNAL, resulting in STORM SIGNAL becoming unbalanced and BETTER CHOICE losing ground. From the outside barriers, TENNESSEE BOSS and MONICA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn after the 1100 Metres, BETTER CHOICE was crowded for room between TENNESSEE BOSS and MIGHTY MAVERICK which was taken out marginally by TOP SCORE which shifted out after being brushed by DEMONS ROCK. Passing the 850 Metres, HEALTHY LUCK was bumped by SPEED VISION (Z Purton) which shifted in before being shifted back out to relieve the tightening to HEALTHY LUCK. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care. Rounding the Home Turn, TOP SCORE was bumped by DEMONS ROCK which, when shifting to the outside of SPEED VISION, was taken wider by that horse. Shortly after entering the Straight, SMART BOY was directed in away from the heels of SPEED VISION which shifted in when commencing to give ground. Passing the 300 Metres, STORM SIGNAL momentarily raced in restricted room inside HEALTHY LUCK which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to STORM SIGNAL. When commencing to give ground abruptly approaching the 200 Metres, SPEED VISION shifted out and bumped MIGHTY MAVERICK which became unbalanced and shifted out towards DEMONS ROCK, resulting in MIGHTY MAVERICK being awkwardly placed inside the heels of DEMONS ROCK passing the 200 Metres. Approaching the 100 Metres, MONICA was steadied and shifted to the outside of BREEDERS’ STAR (A Sanna) when disappointed for running inside that horse which shifted in under pressure. A Sanna was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every attempt to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Close to the finishing line, STORM SIGNAL raced in restricted room inside the heels of MOST BEAUTIFUL and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding the performance of SPEED VISION, Z Purton stated that after riding his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, he felt that he was going to be able to shift SPEED VISION in to race outside HEALTHY LUCK as he anticipated MOST BEAUTIFUL would be steadied to obtain a trailing position. He said when MOST BEAUTIFUL maintained its position inside HEALTHY LUCK in the middle stages, this resulted in SPEED VISION being left racing in a three wide position without cover. He said he therefore, after the 800 Metres, commenced to steady SPEED VISION to obtain a trailing position behind HEALTHY LUCK. He said after being able to shift in to obtain cover behind HEALTHY LUCK passing the 650 Metres, SPEED VISION then travelled only fairly and came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn. He added in the Straight SPEED VISION gave ground noticeably to finish at the tail of the field. He said in its only other start outside of griffin company this season, SPEED VISION had similarly given ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of SPEED VISION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BREEDERS’ STAR immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, BREEDERS’ STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MOST BEAUTIFUL and SMART BOY were sent for sampling.