RACE 2 (329)

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at rear on the inside, angled out 400M, very wide into straight, made little progress in straight.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Average to begin, raced in midfield on the inside, angled out after passing 400M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at tail, 8 lengths or so back, very wide turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Taken back from gate 12, raced behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept to inside after straightening and finished off evenly.

Incident Report
No report.

Moderately away from gate 1, positioned 2 lengths behind the leader on the inside, saved ground on turn, no clear run until approaching final 100M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Near the 500 Metres, when racing keenly, was steadied to avoid GOLDEN RISE when that runner shifted in.

Average to begin, positioned 2 wide, 2 lengths or so back, angled out 350M, short of room and hampered near 200M, ran on evenly thereafter.

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1150 Metres was steadied when taken out slightly by SHINE BRIGHT.

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide in midfield, commenced move 450M, finished off strongly to score by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
No report.

Out with rest, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, angled out after passing 400M, finished off strongly, just beaten by a narrow margin. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 50 Metres M Chadwick dropped his whip.

Jumped well, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, same position on turn, peaked and raced tight early in straight, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped well, sent forward to take the lead, led by 3/4L turning in, kept on well in straight but unable to hold off the first two late.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. Approaching the 200 Metres was steadied to avoid SHINE BRIGHT (B Thompson) which shifted out to improve. B Thompson was advised to exercise more care.

Slowly away, raced 2 wide at rear, hard ridden after passing 500M, very wide into straight, made no progress in the run home.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 200 Metres was hampered when taken wider by HAPPY DAY.

Incident Report
When questioned regarding his riding, A Atzeni stated that from a wide barrier his instructions were to take up a forward position. He said in the early stages he rode his mount along to comply with his instructions, however, AFFIRM did not show its usual pace and was unable to cross runners to his inside. He said in the Back Straight he was of the opinion that the riders of GOLDEN RISE and PRIME MORTAR were looking to obtain cover and for this reason he continued to ride AFFIRM forward in an attempt to cross runners to his inside. He added AFFIRM continued to not respond to his efforts to go forward and came under pressure at the 600 Metres before giving ground badly from that point. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, AFFIRM will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.