08/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 4

CHOICE AND CHANCE and FOREST STAR were slow to begin. From a wide barrier, RACING SPIRIT was taken back in the early stages. In the Straight, CRICKET DON hung in and near the 200 Metres became unbalanced in its action. Throughout the race, FOREST STAR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr C Fownes, trainer of TOUT VA BIEN, explained he had instructed D Beadman, the horse’s rider, to ride it from a rearward position and on the rail. He said TOUT VA BIEN had disappointed him in the manner in which it had been finishing its races off when ridden in a forward position. He said as tonight’s track appeared to be favouring horses racing on the rail he felt it was in the best interest of TOUT VA BIEN to be taken back and properly balanced in the hope that it would be able to close the race off. He said he was satisfied with the performance of TOUT VA BIEN tonight. D Beadman confirmed the riding instructions issued to him and said on jumping he immediately took hold of his mount, shifted it across to the rail and was going to be in a position around midfield, however, making the turn at the 1000 Metres INVESTAR became unbalanced and lost ground sharply and he therefore steadied his mount as he was uncertain as to whether INVESTAR would cause interference to him. He said as a consequence of this INVESTAR was able to shift to the rail in front of TOUT VA BIEN, resulting in his mount travelling further back than it otherwise would have been. He said TOUT VA BIEN travelled comfortably throughout the race, was placed under pressure on straightening and responded to his riding. He said near the 200 Metres TOUT VA BIEN appeared to become unbalanced in its action and commenced to hang in. He said because of this he had to re-balance TOUT VA BIEN before riding the horse out fully in the concluding stages where TOUT VA BIEN finished the race off strongly. Mr Fownes said it is now his intention in upcoming races not to have TOUT VA BIEN ridden along to obtain a forward position in the early stages. O Doleuze (INVESTAR) explained during the preliminary his mount bounded on several occasions. He said after arriving at the Start he gave INVESTAR a good warm up and the horse appeared fluent in its action. He said INVESTAR began well, he rode along in the early stages to go forward, however, making the turn at the 1000 Metres the horse became badly unbalanced in its action and bounded in the air on several occasions. He said he felt something might have been amiss with the horse and therefore he steadied his mount to have it regain its balance. He said after this INVESTAR travelled only fairly and did not feel comfortable in its action. He said because of this he did not ride his mount out in the Straight. INVESTAR was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of INVESTAR after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being permitted to race again, INVESTAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend. When INVESTAR became unbalanced in its action, a number of runners were inconvenienced, the worst sufferers being FLY ME TO THE MOON which was checked and CRICKET DON and GANBARIA, both of which were bumped. CHOICE AND CHANCE was sent for an official veterinary examination. After the race, CHOICE AND CHANCE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was displaying an irregular heart beat. Before being permitted to race again, CHOICE AND CHANCE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VALUE CHOICE and GALACTIC TACTIC were sent for sampling.