14/09/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

HOT ASSET began awkwardly, stumbled and consequently lost ground. Near the 550 Metres, RARE TREASURE momentarily raced tight inside ALL THE WINNERS (Apprentice T H So) which shifted in slightly. Apprentice So was advised to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in future. A short distance after this, TEAM WORK was checked away from the heels of RARE TREASURE when taken out by MEGA CHAMPION which got its head on the side and shifted out slightly. When questioned, Apprentice T H So stated that it was felt that the horse did not have sufficient speed in tonight’s race to take up a forward position from barrier 11 and therefore he was instructed to position ALL THE WINNERS in about midfield if possible. He said he rode ALL THE WINNERS along in the early stages in an attempt to cross RARE TREASURE on his inside, however, as RARE TREASURE appeared to maintain its position inside of ALL THE WINNERS, he stopped riding his mount along in the hope that RARE TREASURE would improve its position and he would be able to obtain cover behind that horse. He added however that RARE TREASURE continued to maintain its position inside of ALL THE WINNERS and as he was not in a position to restrain ALL THE WINNERS to take up a position with cover behind that horse, his mount was left racing wide and without cover throughout the race. Apprentice So was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, his riding of ALL THE WINNERS lacked initiative and judgment as he should have made more of an effort to cross RARE TREASURE than he did. He was further advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, RARE TREASURE was not being ridden along in an attempt to obtain a forward position and that it was reasonable for him to have made use of ALL THE WINNERS to cross that horse and avoid covering unnecessary ground. B Prebble reported that NATURAL FLAME did not travel at any stage of tonight’s race and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUPERIOR WARRIOR and NATURAL FLAME after the race did not show any significant findings. SUPERIOR WARRIOR, CHATER POWER and TEAM WORK were sent for sampling.