10/02/2010  Happy Valley  Race 6

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to NEW CHAPTER was replaced. REAL SPECIAL was slow to begin. Near the 1200 Metres, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was left racing wide and without cover. After this, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was allowed to stride forward. For some distance passing the 900 Metres, CLEMENT ELITE proved difficult to settle. Shortly after entering the Straight, FORTUNE WINNER was inconvenienced by STRAWBERRY which shifted in slightly. Also shortly after entering the Straight, CLEMENT ELITE was shifted out away from the heels of TRAVEL GUIDE. Then for some distance shortly afterwards, CLEMENT ELITE raced tight inside REAL SPECIAL. At the 200 Metres, MAN IN THE MIRROR was checked away from the heels of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE which was weakening when disappointed for running between that horse and EASTERN EMPIRE which shifted out into clear running. When MAN IN THE MIRROR was checked away from the heels of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE, it shifted out, resulting in NEW CHAPTER being hampered. After this, MAN IN THE MIRROR raced tight between BEAUTIFUL CHOICE and SLEEP WELL for a short distance. Near the 150 Metres, WIN PRACTITIONER was steadied when disappointed for running between CLEMENT ELITE and VILASOL which shifted out after being bumped by NEW CHAPTER. Over the concluding stages, FORTUNE WINNER raced in restricted room inside STRAWBERRY which itself was taken in slightly by EASTERN EMPIRE. Because of this, FORTUNE WINNER was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned, Y T Cheng (VILASOL) stated that he had been under firm instructions to obtain a forward position behind the speed if possible. He said accordingly he rode his mount aggressively in the early stages to follow across STRAWBERRY which had drawn to his inside. He said as he was under instructions to take up a forward position, he did not consider taking hold of his mount and shifting in behind BEAUTIFUL CHOICE in the early stages when VILASOL was slow to muster speed. He said that after obtaining a position outside STRAWBERRY, he was able to restrain VILASOL and obtained cover behind BEAUTIFUL CHOICE when that horse improved its position. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of NEW CHAPTER, Z Purton said that the manner in which the race was run tonight did not suit the horse. He said NEW CHAPTER is best suited when able to take up a handy position without too much use being made of it in the early stages. He said the pace of the race tonight in the early stages was particularly quick which resulted in NEW CHAPTER racing further back than had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of NEW CHAPTER after the race did not show any significant findings. FORTUNE WINNER, EASTERN EMPIRE and STRAWBERRY were sent for sampling.