09/03/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

VIVA GUY was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, CLASSIC ENERGY was crowded for room between KOENIGSBERG and ZEZAO which was taken out by SUGAR ON TOP which began awkwardly. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, FISHKING GLORY proved difficult to settle when being steadied to allow BLADE FORCE to cross. FAST INTENTIONS, which was following FISHKING GLORY, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. The performance of VICTORIA SMILE, which finished tailed out after racing wide and without cover for the majority of the race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORIA SMILE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, B Prebble (ELECTRONIC MASTER) stated that in the early stages he was positioned to the outside of FAST INTENTIONS. He said as it appeared to him that FAST INTENTIONS was being steadied in the early stages, he had intended to attempt to obtain a position in front of that horse in the run to the winning post on the first occasion. He said ELECTRONIC MASTER shifted in and bumped FAST INTENTIONS passing the 1600 Metres and became unbalanced. He said a short distance later, after being steadied away from the heels of VICTORIA SMILE which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of BLADE FORCE, he was left racing three wide when MINGS’ HERO and VIVA GUY improved their positions to the inside of ELECTRONIC MASTER. He said for this reason he steadied ELECTRONIC MASTER in an attempt to obtain cover behind MINGS’ HERO. He said when he did this after passing the winning post on the first occasion ELECTRONIC MASTER came off the bridle and became unbalanced in its action. He added passing the 1200 Metres and again near the 1100 Metres he struck ELECTRONIC MASTER with the whip on a number of occasions in an attempt to have it travel on the bridle and race more competitively. He said despite being struck with the whip, ELECTRONIC MASTER continued to be reluctant to stretch out. He said he continued to ride the horse along, however, it was not until near the 700 Metres when he again struck it with the whip that it commenced to travel better. He said passing this point he was able to improve onto the back of VIVA GUY. He added after following VIVA GUY rounding the Home Turn, he rode the horse aggressively in an endeavour to have it finish off the race. He said ELECTRONIC MASTER responded only fairly to his riding and although it had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 100 Metres, the horse finished off the race one-paced. He said after the race he reported to the trainer that ELECTRONIC MASTER felt uncomfortable in its action in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of ELECTRONIC MASTER, CLASSIC ENERGY, FISHKING GLORY and VICTORIA SMILE after the race did not show any significant findings. ROMANCING TAMAR and BLADE FORCE were sent for sampling.