04/05/2011  Happy Valley  Race 7

HELENE WITTY was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, ROYAL KNIGHT was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, FLORA DANICA got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to allow BUSINESS AS USUAL to cross. After W M Lai pleaded not guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1300 Metres he permitted NOBLE DE BEST to shift in when not clear of MY MATE ADRIC, causing that horse to be checked and lose its rightful running, the Stewards did not proceed with the charge as they found that there was doubt as to whether MY MATE ADRIC had properly established running to the inside of NOBLE DE BEST at the time when W M Lai committed to obtain the position to the inside of HELENE WITTY. Nonetheless W M Lai was advised to make every effort to ensure that he is sufficiently clear of other runners when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 150 Metres, M Chadwick (HELENE WITTY) dropped his whip. Approaching the 100 Metres, FLORA DANICA was awkwardly placed outside the heels of BUSINESS AS USUAL which got its head on the side and shifted out. Throughout the race, FLUKE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed to ride MY MATE ADRIC quietly in the early stages from barrier 11 as it was felt that were the horse to be ridden forward, it may possibly be left racing wide. He said that at its most recent start the horse had proved difficult to settle when travelling wide and without cover in the early stages. He added when ridden quietly, MY MADE ADRIC finished off the race strongly. BUSINESS AS USUAL and JIMSON THE BEST were sent for sampling.