13/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

TELECOM LUCKY STAR began awkwardly and lost ground. MEGABUCKS began awkwardly, shifted in, bumped the hindquarters of CHAIN WIN and as a consequence lost ground. After this, despite being ridden along, MEGABUCKS took time to muster. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, MEGABUCKS was steadied away from the heels of CHAIN WIN. At the 800 Metres, DAILY DOUBLE was steadied when awkwardly placed between FLY HIGH and MAGIC KING. After the 800 Metres, CHAIN WIN commenced to over-race, proved difficult to settle and making the turn at the 600 Metres was carried wider by TOUT VA BIEN which shifted out. PAR EXCELLENCE hung out making the turn at the 600 Metres, causing inconvenience to MAGIC PRACTITIONER, MEGABUCKS and NOBLE DE LAGO which as a result were all carried wider. Near the 500 Metres, NOBLE DE LAGO was bumped on two occasions by MEGABUCKS, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. On straightening, MEGABUCKS was steadied and shifted in when disappointed for running between MAGIC PRACTITIONER and NOBLE DE LAGO. Shortly after straightening, JUST RIGHT was bumped and carried in by TOUT VA BIEN which shifted ground when hanging. After the 200 Metres, JUST RIGHT was checked to avoid the heels of TOUT VA BIEN (Apprentice M Chadwick) which shifted in while hanging. Apprentice Chadwick was severely reprimanded and told whilst the Stewards accepted TOUT VA BIEN was hanging, he would in similar circumstances be expected to make a far greater effort than he did on this occasion to prevent shifting ground. In the Straight, MAGIC PRACTITIONER hung in. Throughout the race, NOBLE DE LAGO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice M Chadwick said he had been instructed to have his mount begin well, travel in a handy position if possible and it would be acceptable to lead. Mr C Fownes, the trainer of TOUT VA BIEN, confirmed the riding instructions issued to Apprentice Chadwick. He said he acknowledged in recent race starts TOUT VA BIEN had been ridden in a rearward position. He said the only time TOUT VA BIEN had previously been successful the horse travelled in a rearward position and closed the race off strongly. He said TOUT VA BIEN had been closing its most recent races off satisfactorily, however, as the horse had not been successful he decided to experiment with a gear change by adding side winkers and removing the pacifier and tongue tie. He said when TOUT VA BIEN barrier trialed in the lead up to this race wearing side winkers, the horse travelled prominently and in his opinion trialed well for this horse. He said because of this from a favourable barrier tonight and being ridden by a claiming apprentice, he felt it would be in the best interest of the horse to have it ridden prominently. He said he believed TOUT VA BIEN has now shown itself to be versatile and where it will be ridden in its future races will be dependent on its barrier draw and the manner in which the horse begins. Mr Fownes was told his explanation would be reported, however, it was noted this was the second occasion during the current season on which he had spoken to regarding his intention on how the horse should be ridden. MEGABUCKS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, MEGABUCKS was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse had sustained a mild abrasion to its right front forearm. PAR EXCELLENCE, TOUT VA BIEN and FLY HIGH were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FLY HIGH had lost its left front plate.