28/11/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

The start of this race was delayed as the Stewards were made aware of technical difficulties associated with the Club’s betting system. HELENE CHARISMA was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, SANGRIA shifted out and bumped FLYING QUEST. DYNAMIC EAGLE, which was racing outside FLYING QUEST, shifted out away from that horse, resulting in TANGMERE being crowded for room inside BRAVE LEGEND which shifted in after being bumped by UNICRON JEWELLERY. Also shortly after the start, UNICRON JEWELLERY was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, FLYING QUEST travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind TOP LAURELS. Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, UNICRON JEWELLERY raced tight inside SANGRIA. Near the 450 Metres, DYNAMIC EAGLE lost ground after being checked away from the heels of BRAVE LEGEND which, when giving ground abruptly, got its head on the side and lay out. When DYNAMIC EAGLE was checked, UNICRON JEWELLERY, which was following, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse. Passing the 400 Metres, TANGMERE was bumped by BRAVE LEGEND which continued to lay out when giving ground. SANGRIA, which was following TANGMERE, was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse in consequence. TANGMERE lost its left hind plate rounding the Home Turn. Throughout the race, TANGMERE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of BRAVE LEGEND, O Murphy stated that he was asked to ride the horse along in the early stages in order to obtain a position with cover in about midfield if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode BRAVE LEGEND along for some distance in the early stages and commenced to shift across to obtain a position closer to the rail near the 1600 Metres. He said as there were a number of runners to his inside, he was left racing in a three wide position without cover and as it was not available to him to steady back towards the rear of the field to obtain cover, he then elected to improve his position to race outside the leader NEW ELEGANCE. He added the circumstances of the race in the early stages resulted in BRAVE LEGEND racing in a far more forward position than had been intended. Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of BRAVE LEGEND, confirmed that he had instructed O Murphy to try and have the horse in a more prominent position than had been the case, however, he envisaged that BRAVE LEGEND would race in about a midfield position as it had not previously been able to show sufficient early speed to race in a forward position. The performance of BRAVE LEGEND, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BRAVE LEGEND 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 BRAVE LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of NEW ELEGANCE and TANGMERE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DYNAMIC EAGLE, FLYING QUEST and TOP LAURELS were sent for sampling. <29/11/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>BRAVE LEGEND, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. BRAVE LEGEND was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A S Cruz this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, BRAVE LEGEND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.