26/09/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

DISTRICT EXPRESS began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of NICE KICK, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. FUN TIMES got its head up in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barriers, RAICHU, E MASTER and UNIVERSAL GO GO were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1100 Metres, CURLING LUXURY was momentarily steadied away from the heels of DOLLAR REWARD which got its head on the side and lay out. After this, CURLING LUXURY also lay out, resulting in NICE KICK racing in restricted room inside ALL GREAT FRIENDS. After the 800 Metres, DOLLAR REWARD travelled keenly when ALL GREAT FRIENDS improved to its outside. After the 700 Metres, NICE KICK travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 500 Metres, CURLING LUXURY raced tight between NICE KICK and DISTRICT EXPRESS which shifted out marginally. Approaching the 400 Metres, FUN TIMES got its head up when awkwardly placed behind DISTRICT EXPRESS. At the entrance to the Straight, COMPASSION STAR was directed to the inside of YOUNG EMPIRE to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, YOUNG EMPIRE and RAICHU raced tight. UNIVERSAL GO GO had difficulty obtaining clear running after the 200 Metres and near the 100 Metres was bumped by YOUNG EMPIRE when that horse shifted out when giving ground. After being bumped by YOUNG EMPIRE, UNIVERSAL GO GO shifted out and made contact with ALL GREAT FRIENDS which was also giving ground. When questioned regarding the performance of ALL GREAT FRIENDS, Z Purton stated that he had ridden the horse in two barrier trials in the lead up to tonight’s race and, in his opinion, those trials had only been fair. He said he had to ride ALL GREAT FRIENDS along for a considerable distance in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a forward position and after the 1000 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. He said he then allowed ALL GREAT FRIENDS to improve its positon to race outside the leader YOUNG EMPIRE, however, he was not able to cross DOLLAR REWARD until after the 700 Metres. He said after shifting in to race outside the lead, ALL GREAT FRIENDS travelled well, however, came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then gave ground in the Straight. He added he believed that the amount of use he had to make of ALL GREAT FRIENDS in the early and middle stages possibly accounted for the horse’s disappointing run. A veterinary inspection of ALL GREAT FRIENDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, K Teetan stated that the circumstances of tonight’s race did not suit NICE KICK as the horse was not able to travel comfortably with cover for the majority of the race and consequently was not able to finish off the race strongly. A veterinary inspection of NICE KICK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, A Sanna (YOUNG EMPIRE) stated that whilst his mount was not suited by having ALL GREAT FRIENDS racing to its outside after the 800 Metres, the tempo of the race was not particularly quick during this stage of the race and he did not believe this was the reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. He said YOUNG EMPIRE came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then, despite being ridden out in the Straight, did not respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG EMPIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALL GREAT FRIENDS, E MASTER and NAVAS were sent for sampling.