10/06/2015  Happy Valley  Race 3

TELEPHATIA was momentarily crowded for room on jumping between NAVEL ORANGE which began only fairly and CRUISE CONTROL which shifted in. SPIRIT SOARING lost its right front plate on jumping. From a wide barrier, OXFORD CHARLEY was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, PERCY JACKSON was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, TELEPHATIA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NAVEL ORANGE. When the pace of the race slackened after the 900 Metres, OXFORD CHARLEY, NAVEL ORANGE and TELEPHATIA all commenced to travel keenly. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, VITAL PRINCE lay in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CRUISE CONTROL. Approaching the 400 Metres, TELEPHATIA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VITAL PRINCE. Near the 250 Metres, BACKBENCH BLUES, which was giving ground, was momentarily eased away from the heels of CRUISE CONTROL. TELEPHATIA, which was following BACKBENCH BLUES, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the race, D Whyte stated that the only reason he could offer for the disappointing performance of NAVEL ORANGE was that the horse appeared to be reluctant to stretch out when racing inside other runners. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BACKBENCH BLUES, Z Purton stated that his mount was inclined to lay in in the early and middle stages which is unusual as the horse has always raced tractably when he had ridden it in the past. He said when the tempo of the race slackened near the 900 Metres, he intended to ease BACKBENCH BLUES out away from the heels of VITAL PRINCE and commence to improve his position. He said however that as BACKBENCH BLUES was laying in, the horse was reluctant to shift to the outside of VITAL PRINCE and then got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse after the 900 Metres. He said when he was able to shift BACKBENCH BLUES out away from the heels of VITAL PRINCE, the horse did not improve into the race as he expected it would and because of this he was then left racing three wide and without cover. He added BACKBENCH BLUES came under pressure prior to the 600 Metres and despite being ridden vigorously between the 500 Metres and the entrance to the Straight, it did not respond and commenced to give ground. He said BACKBENCH BLUES pulled up very quickly after the race. He said he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance other than to say that it is unusual for the horse to lay in the way that it did. Mr T P Yung, the trainer of BACKBENCH BLUES, stated that whilst the horse had pleased him in the training in the lead up to tonight’s race, the manner in which it weakened out of the race indicated to him that it may be tired and in need of a let-up. He said he will monitor the horse in the days to come before discussing the matter with the horse’s owners. A veterinary inspection of BACKBENCH BLUES immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of BACKBENCH BLUES, a favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BACKBENCH BLUES 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 CRUISE CONTROL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BACKBENCH BLUES, MAC ROW and SPIRIT SOARING were sent for sampling.