26/09/2018  Happy Valley  Race 5

RICKFIELD was slow to begin. HAPPY LIFE began only fairly. Passing the 1200 Metres, MULTIGOGO raced tight between HAPPY SPIRIT which was improving to its outside and RED WARRIOR which shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed behind MY ALLY. In this incident, HAPPY SPIRIT became unbalanced after being bumped by MULTIGOGO. Rounding the Home Turn, AMAZING SATCHMO and MY ALLY raced tight. MAGNETISM was held up for clear running from passing the 250 Metres until near the 100 Metres at which time the horse was shifted to the outside of MY ALLY to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, MY ALLY was shifted in away from the heels of AMAZING SATCHMO which lay in under pressure in the Straight. This resulted in MULTIGOGO racing tight between MY ALLY and OUR HERO. NITRO EXPRESS lost its right front plate after the race. When questioned, H N Wong stated that he was asked to lead on MULTIGOGO if possible, however, if other riders were more intent on obtaining the lead, he should take a trailing position. He said after riding his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position, he was able to cross OUR HERO passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said at this time both RED WARRIOR and MY ALLY were improving their position around MULTIGOGO and as he felt that the tempo of the race was satisfactory, he elected to steady his mount rather than continue to try to hold the lead as he was concerned that this may result in the tempo of the race being too fast. He said after obtaining a trailing position approaching the 1300 Metres, he shifted MULTIGOGO to the outside of RED WARRIOR. He said when HAPPY SPIRIT improved its position around MULTIGOGO after the 1200 Metres, MULTIGOGO commenced to travel keenly and he therefore allowed the horse to improve its position forward of RED WARRIOR. He added when MY ALLY shifted away from the rail passing the 1000 Metres, this resulted in MULTIGOGO being left racing three wide without cover. He said he therefore continued to allow MULTIGOGO to improve its position around MY ALLY and was able to shift MULTIGOGO in to race outside the lead near the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of MULTIGOGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, C Schofield stated that as MY ALLY is a long striding horse, he was reluctant to remain racing behind HAPPY SPIRIT when that horse crossed to the lead near the 1000 Metres as he anticipated that MULTIGOGO would be ridden along to improve its position around MY ALLY and he did not believe that HAPPY SPIRIT would be a good horse to be following through the race. He said he therefore elected to shift away from the rail and raced in a position one horse away from the rail. He said passing the 900 Metres MULTIGOGO was ridden along to improve its position around MY ALLY and as it was still a considerable distance from the end of the race, he was reluctant to ride his mount along in an attempt to prevent MULTIGOGO from crossing MY ALLY which was travelling only fairly. He added when the rider of MULTIGOGO persisted in improving its position to race outside the lead, he allowed that horse to cross MY ALLY after the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY LIFE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY LIFE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RED WARRIOR and AMAZING SATCHMO were sent for sampling.