01/12/2010  Happy Valley  Race 5

From the outside barrier, SHANGHAI PIONEER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After being crossed by CHEVALIER KING near the 900 Metres, TOPPING LIGHT was steadied away from the heels of that horse. Also near the 900 Metres, SHANGHAI PIONEER got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of VICTORY IDE SAY. Throughout the race, both EASY AHEAD and PERFECT FIT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton (BET ON ME) stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse quietly tonight from barrier 11. He said he was given these instructions as BET ON ME had been disappointing in its two most recent runs when ridden into forward positions from wide draws and then being unable to finish off the race. He said from barrier 11, it was felt that too much use would have to be made of BET ON ME to cross runners to his inside which would again have resulted in the horse not being able to close off the race. He said he placed BET ON ME under pressure rounding the Home Turn and the horse commenced to respond well. He added he looked on two occasions on his inside to ascertain where HERO AND GOLD was racing as it was his intention to shift to the inside of FIVE CLUBS to continue improving. He said when ridden more patiently tonight, the horse closed off the race well. Trainer P F Yiu advised the Stewards that it was intended for BET ON ME to be ridden quietly tonight due to it not being able to finish off its races coming from similar draws in the past. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPER PLUS, F Coetzee stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position if possible. He said he had to make considerable use of SUPER PLUS in the early and middle stages to cross FIVE CLUBS to his inside. He said, in his opinion, the amount of pressure he had to place upon SUPER PLUS during this time of the race was the principal factor in the horse’s failure to finish off the race tonight. He added making the Home Turn SUPER PLUS got its head on the side and hung out and then despite being ridden along in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of SUPER PLUS after the race did not show any significant findings. CHEVALIER KING and TOPPING LIGHT were sent for sampling.