13/03/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

After being loaded into the barriers, GENTLE BREEZE became fractious and got its head down. GENTLE BREEZE was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, GENTLE BREEZE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. FRUSTRATED shifted out at the start and hampered AIOLOS and GRACIOUS RYDER, both of which became unbalanced and lost ground. BLADE RACER shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of LOOK ERAS which became unbalanced. BRILLIANT began only fairly and then shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. Also from a wide barrier, MY DEAR was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 750 Metres, FRUSTRATED raced tight inside NICE FANDANGO which got its head on the side and shifted in. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, BLADE RACER got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 400 Metres, AIOLOS raced tight inside SHINING ACE which lay in despite the efforts of its rider. GRACIOUS RYDER, which was following AIOLOS, was inconvenienced in consequence. Passing the 200 Metres, GRACIOUS RYDER was steadied and shifted to the inside of SHINING ACE after being disappointed for running outside that horse which, after laying in in the early part of the Straight, shifted out abruptly away from the heels of GENERAL IRON after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. When SHINING ACE shifted out, BLADE RACER shifted out away from that horse. Near the 150 Metres, M Harley (GENTLE BREEZE) dropped his whip. Over the concluding stages, SHINING ACE raced tight outside GENERAL IRON. Throughout the race, GENTLE BREEZE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of AIOLOS, which was having its first race start tonight, Z Purton stated that although his mount was hampered at the start, it was intended for it to be ridden in a position midfield or worse as it had finished off a barrier trial in the lead up to tonight’s race when ridden quietly. He said AIOLOS commenced to travel keenly near the 800 Metres and he was momentarily awkwardly placed behind GENERAL IRON. He said although AIOLOS raced tight inside SHINING ACE approaching and passing the 400 Metres, nonetheless the horse was disappointing in its failure to close off the race after obtaining clear running at the entrance to the Straight. A veterinary inspection of AIOLOS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MY DEAR, BLADE RACER and NICE FANDANGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AIOLOS, FRUSTRATED and LOOK ERAS were sent for sampling.