03/02/2010  Happy Valley  Race 5

As the start was effected, HANDSOME BATCHELOR lifted its front feet off the ground and was slow to begin. POLYGOLD began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of WINNER SMART. WELL NOTED shifted out at the start, resulting in MEDIC FORTUNE being hampered. Passing the 700 Metres, HANDSOME BATCHELOR got its head up and proved difficult to settle when being checked away from the heels of BEAUTY EXPRESS. In the middle stages, HAPPY REUNION proved difficult to settle. Making the turn passing the 550 Metres, WINNER SMART hung out and continued to hang out until entering the Straight. Shortly after entering the Straight, BEAUTY EXPRESS and WELL NOTED bumped, causing both horses to become unbalanced. In the Straight, HAPPY REUNION hung in and proved difficult to ride and over the final 100 Metres raced tight outside GLENEALY STAR. Throughout the race, MEDIC FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of MAGIC SWEEP, B Prebble stated that in the early stages he was left racing four wide and without cover. He said on entering the Back Straight he considered allowing MAGIC SWEEP to stride forward, however, he did not believe it would be in the best interests of the horse to be ridden forward at this time as, in his opinion, MAGIC SWEEP would still have been obliged to race without cover. He said he therefore elected to take MAGIC SWEEP further back in the field in an attempt to obtain cover behind MEDIC FORTUNE. He added however due to runners improving their positions to the inside of MAGIC SWEEP, the horse was not able to obtain cover until passing the 600 Metres. He said he shifted MAGIC SWEEP out rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse did not respond to his riding. He added that although MAGIC SWEEP was somewhat disappointing, he believed the circumstances of tonight’s race meant that the horse was not able to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of MAGIC SWEEP after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY REUNION, BONDI LAD and BEAUTY EXPRESS were sent for sampling.