30/11/2011  Happy Valley  Race 2

DRAGON CHOICE was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, ABLE DRAGON and VANQUISH DELIGHT were briefly crowded for room inside MEGA CASTLE which shifted in. Approaching the 1500 Metres, HEALTHY CONTENDER raced tight inside SUNNY SMILES which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MEDIC FORTUNE. Passing the 1500 Metres, ABLE DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of SUNNY SMILES. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, KING GALILEO raced tight inside SUNNY SMILES. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, MEDIC FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of BULB TREASURE which shifted in. Passing the 1400 Metres, KING GALILEO became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room inside SUNNY SMILES. ROCKET AND GOLD, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Approaching the 1200 Metres, VANQUISH DELIGHT shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASTER DRAGON. After this, VANQUISH DELIGHT was left racing wide and without cover and near the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve into a more forward position. Approaching the 800 Metres, ABLE DRAGON was allowed to stride forward and after this raced wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, MASTER DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of VANQUISH DELIGHT. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to ride SUNNY SMILES positively in the early stages to obtain a position on the fence if possible. He said he rode his mount aggressively out of the barriers in an attempt to clear HEALTHY CONTENDER to his inside, however, he was not able to do so. He said for this reason after the 1500 Metres he steadied SUNNY SMILES in an attempt to obtain a position on the fence behind HEALTHY CONTENDER, however, once again he was not able to shift in due to KING GALILEO maintaining its position to his inside. He said because of these circumstances SUNNY SMILES raced further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY SMILES after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY CONTENDER after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. HEALTHY CONTENDER, MEDIC FORTUNE and MEGA CASTLE were sent for sampling.