12/09/2018  Happy Valley  Race 2

PEARL WARM WARM shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in FIRE AND GOLD and CLEAR CHOICE being badly crowded for room inside CALIFORNIA ELITE which became unbalanced after being bumped by CLEAR CHOICE and shifted out and bumped MICKEY RICH. When being steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier, SPLIT OF A SECOND got its head up shortly after the start. Making the first turn near the 1050 Metres, SPLIT OF A SECOND became unbalanced of its own accord. Passing the 800 Metres, ALL YOU NEED got its head up when awkwardly placed behind LONDON CITY which was being steadied to allow CALIFORNIA ELITE to cross. Near the 250 Metres, ALL YOU NEED was checked when attempting to improve inside CALIFORNIA ELITE where there was insufficient room due to CALIFORNIA ELITE laying in as it was giving ground. As the Stewards were satisfied that at no time had ALL YOU NEED established running to the inside of CALIFORNIA ELITE, no further action was taken. In this incident, CALIFORNIA ELITE became badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by ALL YOU NEED. ALL YOU NEED was further steadied when disappointed for running inside SPLIT OF A SECOND passing the 150 Metres and was then unable to obtain clear running over the final stages of the race and consequently was not fully tested. Passing the 250 Metres, CLEAR CHOICE was shifted in away from the heels of MICKEY RICH which got its head on the side and shifted in before being straightened. CLEAR CHOICE was then shifted to the inside of SUPER EURO STAR approaching the 200 Metres in an attempt to obtain clear running, however, was checked passing the 150 Metres when disappointed for running between SUPER EURO STAR and LONDON CITY where there was insufficient room. Approaching the 200 Metres, SPLIT OF A SECOND raced tight between CLEAR CHOICE which shifted in after being awkwardly placed inside MICKEY RICH and CALIFORNIA ELITE which shifted out to relieve the tightening to ALL YOU NEED. After the 100 Metres, SPLIT OF A SECOND, which was attempting to improve into tight running inside LONDON CITY, was steadied due to that horse shifting in marginally under pressure. Throughout the race, TRAVEL SUCCESSOR travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of ALL YOU NEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA ELITE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm, was lame in its left front leg and also an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA ELITE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CLEAR CHOICE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPLIT OF A SECOND, MICKEY RICH and TRAVEL SUCCESSOR were sent for sampling.