26/11/2014  Happy Valley  Race 5

ALWAYS SOMETHING was crowded for room on jumping between VERY WELL and GOOD THINKER, both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, PENNY LANE, which began awkwardly, was steadied away from the heels of HEAVENISARACEHORSE which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider, Z Purton. After these incidents, both ALWAYS SOMETHING and PENNY LANE were shifted across behind runners. FOLLOW THE WIND was crowded for room on jumping between BORN TO WIN which shifted out and HOLY MAC which, after initially shifting in of its own accord, was then taken in by DRAGON GLORY. After being ridden along to obtain a forward position in the early stages, GOOD THINKER was left racing wide and passing the winning post on the first occasion was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, HOLY MAC was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DRAGON GLORY which got its head on the side and shifted in across the heels of BORN TO WIN. After the 1000 Metres, VERY WELL proved very difficult to settle. HOLY MAC lost its right front plate at the 400 Metres. Near the 300 Metres, BORN TO WIN, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of DRAGON GLORY which got its head on the side and hung in. Near the 250 Metres, HOLY MAC was crowded inside VERY WELL which, when giving ground abruptly, was crowded for room between initially EXPECTATOR (N Callan) which shifted in and HEAVENISARACEHORSE which shifted out. N Callan was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must exercise more care. Passing the 100 Metres, HOLY MAC was shifted to the inside of DRAGON GLORY to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, JACK’S GEM was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HOLY MAC and consequently was not able to be properly tested. In the run to the winning post, VERY WELL raced tight inside GOOD THINKER which lay in. Throughout the race, NEW PET travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BORN TO WIN, M Chadwick stated that the horse enjoyed a good run throughout the race behind the leaders and travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages. He said he placed BORN TO WIN under pressure prior to the 400 Metres to improve around VERY WELL before DRAGON GLORY was able to shift to his outside, however, BORN TO WIN did not quicken, got its head up and then commenced to give ground despite being vigorously ridden. He said he was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s disappointing performance given the manner in which it travelled in the early part of the race. A veterinary inspection of BORN TO WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HEAVENISARACEHORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EXPECTATOR and DRAGON GLORY were sent for sampling.