19/01/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

Shortly after the start, PERFECT TEN shifted in and bumped COMPACT YARN which resulted in both horses becoming unbalanced and PERFECT TEN shifting out and bumping SURROUNDED which in turn was taken across the running of SUISSE D’OR, causing that horse to be steadied away from the heels of SURROUNDED. RAIN OF THUNDER, which was racing to the outside of SUISSE D’OR, was taken across behind runners shortly after this. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CENTURY MOLLY failed to muster speed. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, OWNERS’ GLORY was momentarily crowded for room inside RAIN OF THUNDER. Near the 1300 Metres, RAIN OF THUNDER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPREME TYCOON. Passing the 1200 Metres, COMPACT YARN got its head up and proved difficult to settle. Passing the 700 Metres, SUPREME TYCOON, which was attempting to shift to the outside of COMPACT YARN to improve its position, was steadied when crowded for room between RAIN OF THUNDER which was improving to the outside of SUPREME TYCOON and COMPACT YARN which at this time shifted out. Rounding the Home Turn, COMPACT YARN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HANDSOME BATCHELOR when held up for clear running behind that horse. Near the 150 Metres, HOW WONDERFUL bumped the hindquarters of HANDSOME BATCHELOR when improving into tight running between that horse and RAIN OF THUNDER. In this incident, HANDSOME BATCHELOR became unbalanced. After this, HOW WONDERFUL had difficulty obtaining clear running. Throughout the race, SUISSE D’OR travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of HOW WONDERFUL after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. COMPACT YARN, PERFECT TEN and SUISSE D’OR were sent for sampling.