12/04/2017  Happy Valley  Race 3

As the start was effected, GOLDEN ACHIEVER bounded in the air and then landed very awkwardly, resulting in its rider, N Callan, becoming badly unbalanced. GOLDEN ACHIEVER was then steadied when crowded for room between CASA MASTER and VICTORY FOLLOW ME which was taken in by FORMULA GALORE. Shortly after the start, FAIR COMMENT raced tight between DON WONGCHOY and CASH COURIER, both of which shifted ground. From wide barriers, VICTORY FOLLOW ME and EXCELLENCE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CASA MASTER got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CASH COURIER. Passing the 900 Metres, CASA MASTER shifted out to improve its position and after this travelled wide and without cover. When endeavouring to improve into tight running between FAIR COMMENT and NEWSWIRE FREE passing the 700 Metres, CASH COURIER raced tight between those horses and then near the 650 Metres was steadied when unable to maintain its position outside FAIR COMMENT which shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART UNION. Passing the 500 Metres, GOLDEN ACHIEVER was steadied after attempting to improve between FAIR COMMENT and SCARBOROUGH FAIR where there was insufficient room. Near the 300 Metres, SPINNING DANCER and SMART UNION raced tight. Passing the 250 Metres, GOLDEN ACHIEVER was shifted to the inside of SCARBOROUGH FAIR after being disappointed for running between that horse and FAIR COMMENT. NEWSWIRE FREE lost its right hind plate after the 100 Metres. Close to the finishing line, SCARBOROUGH FAIR was checked away from the heels of SPINNING DANCER which shifted in marginally. Consequently SCARBOROUGH FAIR was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DON WONGCHOY had sustained an overreach wound to the inside of the right front heel. When questioned regarding the performance of EXCELLENCE, Z Purton stated that after shifting out to follow CASA MASTER when that horse improved after the 900 Metres, he shifted EXCELLENCE out from behind CASA MASTER to continue improving passing the 700 Metres. He said EXCELLENCE came under pressure after the 600 Metres and then gave ground. He said whilst EXCELLENCE was disappointing, the horse had to cover some ground during the race. A veterinary inspection of EXCELLENCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NEWSWIRE FREE and CASH COURIER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORY FOLLOW ME, FORMULA GALORE and SPINNING DANCER were sent for sampling. <13/4/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that FAIR COMMENT had a sore right eye on the morning after racing.