03/12/2008  Happy Valley  Race 2

CHINESE COURSER began awkwardly and then was taken across behind runners. On jumping, OCEAN PRINCE and DIAMOND PRINCE bumped. Throughout the race, MAGI JOY travelled wide and without cover and after the 700 Metres went forward in an endeavour to shift closer to the rail. Near the 600 Metres, BLESS US ALL was steadied when awkwardly placed between MARVELLOUS and HOT PEPPER. Making the Home Turn, BLESS US ALL got its head on the side and hung in away from HOT PEPPER. This caused some inconvenience to DIAMOND PRINCE. After the 200 Metres, OCEAN PRINCE, which was commencing to close the race off strongly and was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was checked and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of MAGI JOY which when giving ground was momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of MARVELLOUS which shifted in when barely clear. BLESS US ALL, which was following, was steadied when awkwardly placed on the heels of OCEAN PRINCE, shifted out, resulting in HOT PEPPER being hampered and carried wider. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied B Doyle's riding of BLESS US ALL in the run to the line did not affect the horse's finishing position, he nonetheless was reminded of his responsibility to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. D Whyte reported HOT PEPPER travelled greenly throughout the race. B Prebble (GRAND DRAGON) explained he had been instructed to lead if possible, however, if other runners were ridden to maintain their positions to his inside, he should not make too much use of GRAND DRAGON in the early stages and he should then travel outside the lead. He said GRAND DRAGON began well and he allowed his mount to travel forward in the early stages as instructed. He said approaching the turn at the 1000 Metres he rode GRAND DRAGON along in an endeavour to clear runners and cross to the rail, however, as he did this K-JACK was ridden along to maintain its position on his inside. He said after entering the Back Straight it became apparent to him that K-JACK would maintain the rail and he therefore elected to travel forward of K-JACK on its outside. He said GRAND DRAGON travelled comfortably in this position until near the 600 Metres when MAGI JOY improved on its outside. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres GRAND DRAGON was bumped by MAGI JOY and then did not appear comfortable racing between horses. He said GRAND DRAGON made the Home Turn awkwardly and became unbalanced in its action, then did not respond when placed under pressure after straightening. He said when giving ground GRAND DRAGON was inconvenienced by MARVELLOUS at the 150 Metres which shifted in and then shortly after this as GRAND DRAGON continued to be unbalanced, the horse shifted out and bumped with MAGI JOY. He said the manner in which GRAND DRAGON raced indicated the horse did not handle the Happy Valley track at its first time of asking. GRAND DRAGON was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. HOT PEPPER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GRAND DRAGON and HOT PEPPER after the race did not show any significant findings. K-JACK and MARVELLOUS were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported RAIN CHECK had bled from both nostrils.