23/11/2011  Happy Valley  Race 2

From the outside barrier, GOOD LOOKING WATCH was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EMPIRE CITY was crowded for room inside SEASONS CREST which shifted in when steadied away from the heels of TEAM WORK (B Prebble) which shifted in when not properly clear. B Prebble was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is clear when shifting ground in future. Near the 1300 Metres, EMPIRE CITY momentarily raced in restricted room between HOME WITH GLORY and SEASONS CREST which attempted to shift in and obtain a position with cover behind POTENTIAL. When unable to shift in at this point, SEASONS CREST was taken back in an attempt to find cover behind EMPIRE CITY, but after being unable to do so was left racing wide. Passing the 1300 Metres, TEAM WORK was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUGGERNAUT. After this, TEAM WORK was left racing wide and without cover and after the 800 Metres was allowed to stride into a more forward position closer to the rail. For some distance after the 1200 Metres, HOME WITH GLORY got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of POTENTIAL and then near the 1100 Metres shifted out and bumped EMPIRE CITY. After this, HOME WITH GLORY proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Near the 750 Metres, EMPIRE CITY was bumped by HOME WITH GLORY which got its head on the side and shifted out. After this, EMPIRE CITY raced in restricted room between HOME WITH GLORY and SEASONS CREST which, after the 700 Metres, was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 200 Metres, POTENTIAL shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of JUGGERNAUT which became unbalanced. Over the final 100 Metres, BUMPER STRIKE and JOYFUL WINNER II raced tight. After the 100 Metres, VIVA GUY shifted to the outside of JOYFUL WINNER II after being disappointed for running inside that horse. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PANTHER RUN, H W Lai stated that at its most recent start when successful, the horse was able to take up a position in advance of midfield due to having drawn barrier 1. He said tonight from barrier 9 he was obliged to ride PANTHER RUN further back in the field than had been hoped in order to obtain cover. He said when having to be ridden towards the rear of the field tonight, PANTHER RUN proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed on the heels of EMPIRE CITY for some distance. He said at its most recent start he was able to shift PANTHER RUN into a three wide position with clear running after the 500 Metres to allow the horse to make its finishing run. He said however tonight PANTHER RUN was not able to obtain clear running until after entering the Home Straight. He added when placed under pressure PANTHER RUN did not close off the race as strongly as it did at its most recent start, however, he felt the circumstances of the race contributed to the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of PANTHER RUN after the race did not show any significant findings. POTENTIAL and BUMPER STRIKE were sent for sampling.