15/09/2010  Happy Valley  Race 4

On entering the track, HO HO LIFE made contact with a rail. On arrival at the Start, HO HO LIFE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Just prior to the gates being released, NEW IDEA became fractious and lunged forward, resulting in the front gates of its barrier opening marginally prior to the remaining gates. NEW IDEA then began awkwardly and lost ground at the start. OASIS DAVIS was slow to begin. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, OASIS DAVIS was steadied after racing tight inside WIN-A-LOT (O Doleuze). O Doleuze was advised to ensure he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. For some distance passing the winning post on the first occasion, NEW IDEA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VIVA GUY. NEW IDEA then continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of VIVA GUY for some distance and passing the 1200 Metres shifted out away from the heels of that horse. Then passing the 1000 Metres, when shifted back in behind VIVA GUY, NEW IDEA was again awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Approaching the 800 Metres, REDOUTE`S FORTUNE proved very difficult to settle and became unbalanced when checked away from the heels of HO HO LIFE. NEW IDEA, which was following, was hampered in consequence. REDOUTE`S FORTUNE then shifted out away from the heels of HO HO LIFE, resulting in NEW IDEA being taken wider. Near the 400 Metres, REDOUTE`S FORTUNE was checked when disappointed for running between HO HO LIFE and NEW IDEA. Approaching the 400 Metres, WIN A DOZEN raced tight inside MERIDIAN PRIDE (Apprentice M L Yeung) which shifted in. Apprentice Yeung was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mount from shifting ground. Approaching the 100 Metres, SPLENDID CHAMPION, which was closing off the race strongly, was steadied away from the heels of SAMMY`S FALCON which shifted in and away from HO HO LIFE. Then over the concluding stages, SPLENDID CHAMPION was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HO HO LIFE and as a consequence was not able to be fully tested. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed to ride SPLENDID CHAMPION where it was comfortable. He said as the start was effected, SPLENDID CHAMPION was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was bumped by WIN-A-LOT. He said after this he rode SPLENDID CHAMPION along in an endeavour to have it take up a more forward position, however, SPLENDID CHAMPION was reluctant to stretch out. He said he continued to niggle at SPLENDID CHAMPION in the middle stages to take up a more forward position as he was aware that the horse was becoming detached from the field. He said he commenced to ride SPLENDID CHAMPION along with more urgency passing the 800 Metres, however, the horse brushed the running rail rounding the Home Turn and became unbalanced. He added that after this SPLENDID CHAMPION responded to his riding and closed off the race strongly. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WIN A DOZEN, Apprentice K C Leung stated that his mount travelled well until passing the 700 Metres at which time MERIDIAN PRIDE commenced to improve its position to his outside. He said he rode WIN A DOZEN along to maintain its position inside MERIDIAN PRIDE, however, WIN A DOZEN was reluctant to maintain its position. He said after being tightened for room rounding the Home Turn by MERIDIAN PRIDE, WIN A DOZEN was most disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of WIN A DOZEN after the race did not show any significant findings. NEW IDEA, VIVA GUY and HO HO LIFE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NEW IDEA had sustained a cut to the outside of the right front cannon. Before being allowed to race again, NEW IDEA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.