28/11/2012  Happy Valley  Race 4

GREAT PEGASUS, which was fractious whilst being saddled up, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. GRACIER BLUE began awkwardly, shifted in and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of BET ON ME which became unbalanced. When being steadied in the early stages with a view to being taken across behind runners, DEMON DEMON was bumped by BULLISH BOY which shifted out. From the outside barrier, MAKE IT was also taken across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, GRACIER BLUE got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of PURE FORCE. At the same stage, GREAT PEGASUS also got its head on the side and was checked away from the heels of ALWAYS WELL. OCEAN WIDE raced wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, GREAT PEGASUS was checked after shifting out across the heels of ALWAYS WELL which got its head on the side and shifted in marginally. When GREAT PEGASUS was checked, NATURAL FLAME, which was racing to its outside, was taken wider. Approaching the 400 Metres, PURE FORCE momentarily raced in restricted room inside BET ON ME which shifted in marginally. In the early part of the Straight, ALWAYS WELL got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of BULLISH BOY. Over the concluding stages, BULLISH BOY raced in restricted room between BET ON ME and ALWAYS WELL which got its head on the side and was inclined to hang in which resulted in the horse being difficult to ride out. When questioned, T Angland (HAPPY CERAMIBO) stated that after beginning well from barrier 1, he rode his mount positively in the early stages. He said making the first turn BET ON ME gained an advantage over HAPPY CERAMIBO and he considered allowing that horse to cross, however, when BET ON ME did not continue forward, he elected to maintain his position to the inside of that horse. He said HAPPY CERAMIBO, which was carrying blinkers for the first time tonight, travelled keenly in the middle stages. He said after the 800 Metres OCEAN WIDE improved its position to be racing to the outside of HAPPY CERAMIBO and he did not want that horse to cross as he was aware that OCEAN WIDE had to be ridden along in the early and middle stages to cross runners to its inside and he did not want that horse to weaken in front of HAPPY CERAMIBO. He said for this reason he continued to maintain his position to the inside of OCEAN WIDE. He added that whilst HAPPY CERAMIBO weakened in the Straight, tonight’s run could be attributed to the fact that the horse was challenged throughout the race for the lead which resulted in it not being able to finish off its race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY CERAMIBO after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, it was noted that BET ON ME had blood in the mouth. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN WIDE after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY CERAMIBO, PURE FORCE and DEMON DEMON were sent for sampling.