20/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

From a wide barrier, COMMON GOAL was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After being caught wide and without cover in the early stages, BRAVE HEART was steadied to shift in to a position behind SUNRISE passing the 1300 Metres. Then after the 1200 Metres, BRAVE HEART got its head up and was checked away from the heels of SUNRISE. VIVA FIGHTER, which was following BRAVE HEART, was checked away from the heels of that horse as a consequence and shifted out, resulting in COMMON GOAL, which was following VIVA FIGHTER, also being hampered. SUMMER DASH had difficulty obtaining clear running until after the 200 Metres. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that STRAWBERRY had lost its left front plate. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BRAVE HEART, Z Purton stated that the horse, which was having its first start at Happy Valley tonight, was inclined to over-race throughout the early and middle stages and wanted to lay out making the turns. He said passing the 600 Metres BRAVE HEART was following SUNRISE and he considered shifting BRAVE HEART to the outside of that horse when he became aware that VIVA FIGHTER was improving its position around BRAVE HEART. He said however that, in his opinion, BRAVE HEART was not travelling well enough to improve its position to the outside of SUNRISE at this time. He said for this reason he remained racing behind SUNRISE. He added although BRAVE HEART was inconvenienced by GIVE WELL when that horse shifted out rounding the Home Turn, BRAVE HEART was already a beaten horse at this stage of the race. He said he placed BRAVE HEART under pressure in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse did not respond to his riding. He said he continued to ride BRAVE HEART out, however, it continued to lose ground on the field. A veterinary inspection of BRAVE HEART after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BRAVE HEART was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BRAVE HEART will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VIVA FIGHTER after the race did not show any significant findings. BUSINESS AS USUAL, GIVE WELL and SUNRISE were sent for sampling.