07/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 1

WINNING PAL and ROCKALOT were slow to begin. CENTENNIAL SMILE began awkwardly, shifted out and was checked away from the heels of FABULOUS START. Passing the 2000 Metres, OCTAGONAL CANYON and ROCKALOT raced tight between HEALTHY CONTENDER and WINNING PAL. Approaching the 1800 Metres, OSCAR PRINCE was checked away from the heels of SPEED AND GOLD. Rounding the Home Turn on the first occasion, ENERGETIC BOY proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of FABULOUS START. ROCKALOT and OCTAGONAL CANYON, which were following, were checked in consequence. Passing the 1800 Metres, WINNING PAL shifted out when steadied away from the heels of DECENT FELLOW. ROCKALOT, which was following, was checked in consequence. Near the 1600 Metres, WINNING PAL was steadied away from the heels of ENERGETIC BOY. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, FABULOUS START was steadied away from the heels of HEALTHY CONTENDER which shifted in after being allowed to stride forward when caught wide and without cover in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, WINNING PAL shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENERGETIC BOY. After this, WINNING PAL was allowed to stride forward into the lead. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SPEED AND GOLD got its head up, shifted out and bumped FABULOUS START. Also approaching the 1100 Metres, HEALTHY CONTENDER was checked away from the heels of WINNING PAL (D Whyte) which, after reaching the lead, steadied the tempo. D Whyte was advised to ensure that he does not excessively steady the tempo during races. Approaching the 100 Metres, OSCAR PRINCE was momentarily crowded for room inside WINNING PAL. Over the concluding stages, FABULOUS START, which had its head on the side and was inclined to lay in, was steadied away from the heels of SPEED AND GOLD which shifted out. Because of this, FABULOUS START was not ridden out to the end of the race. When questioned, Y T Cheng (OSCAR PRINCE) stated that passing the 800 Metres he was racing behind HEALTHY CONTENDER. He said near the 700 Metres the tempo of the race increased and his mount was left somewhat flat-footed. He said because of this a gap opened up between HEALTHY CONTENDER and OSCAR PRINCE approaching the 600 Metres which allowed SAMMY’S FORTUNE to shift in in advance of OSCAR PRINCE. He said at this time he was riding his mount along, but OSCAR PRINCE was not able to make up the necessary ground to prevent SAMMY’S FORTUNE from shifting in Y T Cheng was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made a far greater effort than he did on this occasion to maintain his position on the back of HEALTHY CONTENDER. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SAMMY’S FORTUNE, O Doleuze stated that, in his opinion, the horse was not suited by having to make its run inside of horses which was necessary due to the manner in which the race was run. He said he believed that SAMMY’S FORTUNE is better suited by being able to make its run outside of horses in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SAMMY’S FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings. HEALTHY CONTENDER and ENERGETIC BOY were sent for sampling.