18/03/2015  Happy Valley  Race 7

STRONG FOUNDATION shifted out at the start and bumped GRACEFUL KINGDOM. WONDERFUL GUY began awkwardly. PENGLAI XIANZI, which began only fairly, was steadied away from the heels of GOODHEART SUCCESS shortly after the start when that horse was taken out by BUSINESS AS USUAL. From a wide barrier, FIRST SIGHT LOVE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1300 Metres, BUSINESS AS USUAL shifted out when travelling keenly, resulting in RADIANT BUNNY being hampered. Near the 1000 Metres, PENGLAI XIANZI became unbalanced after momentarily racing in restricted room inside DR GOOD HABIT. Passing the 800 Metres, FORGIVE AND FORGET was bumped and taken wider by DR GOOD HABIT which shifted out abruptly away from the heels of WONDERFUL GUY. Rounding the Home Turn, PENGLAI XIANZI was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KA YING KID. Shortly after entering the Straight, BUSINESS AS USUAL got its head on the side, shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of KERKENI. Passing the 250 Metres, PENGLAI XIANZI was shifted out away from the heels of GRACEFUL KINGDOM after being awkwardly placed behind that horse which was giving ground. Approaching the 200 Metres, RADIANT BUNNY shifted out slightly and bumped GOODHEART SUCCESS. RADIANT BUNNY then became badly unbalanced and shifted out further, resulting in GOODHEART SUCCESS being taken out and bumping DR GOOD HABIT which resulted in the rider of that horse having to stop riding DR GOOD HABIT after it became unbalanced. Near the 200 Metres, WONDERFUL GUY was shifted out away from the heels of BUSINESS AS USUAL. After the 200 Metres, FIRST SIGHT LOVE, which was inclined to race with its head on the side and lay out, was awkwardly placed inside the heels of STRONG FOUNDATION. After the 100 Metres, FIRST SIGHT LOVE continued to lay out and over the concluding stages again raced tight inside STRONG FOUNDATION, When questioned, O Doleuze stated that he had been provided the same instructions on KERKENI tonight as he was at its most recent start and that was to obtain a forward position if possible. He said at its most recent start he rode the horse aggressively in the early stages, however, a number of other runners showed superior speed to KERKENI which resulted in his mount racing behind the speed. He said, from barrier 12 tonight, he was again asked to ride KERKENI in a forward position as the horse had raced successfully overseas when ridden in or about the lead. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages and passing the winning post on the first occasion KERKENI was left racing very wide. He said therefore he allowed his mount to continue to improve its position and after the 1000 Metres was able to shift in to race outside GRACEFUL KINGDOM. He added he then attempted to steady his mount as he was aware that he had had to make use of KERKENI to obtain this position. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that as it was anticipated tonight’s race would be run at a strong tempo, he was asked to ride DR GOOD HABIT in about a midfield position if possible. He said it was explained to him that DR GOOD HABIT is not the fastest horse to begin and, from the wide barrier tonight, it was anticipated that too much use would have to be made of the horse in the early stages when carrying top weight were it to be ridden forward. He said after DR GOOD HABIT began better than expected, he did give some consideration to allowing his mount to stride forward, however, he became aware that a significant number of horses were being ridden aggressively to his inside and therefore in the early stages he elected to shift DR GOOD HABIT across behind runners and obtained a trailing position behind WONDERFUL GUY which resulted in the horse racing slightly further back in the field than had been intended. He added DR GOOD HABIT improved into the race nicely rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight and, in his opinion, was going to finish off the race strongly until the horse’s momentum was impeded near the 200 Metres due to a shift out from the inside of DR GOOD HABIT. A veterinary inspection of GRACEFUL KINGDOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. GOODHEART SUCCESS, STRONG FOUNDATION and FIRST SIGHT LOVE were sent for sampling.