14/12/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

FOREVER ELATION was checked at the start when crowded for room between SUPER BRAND and SHAHJEE which shifted in. SUPER GOODIES began awkwardly and lost ground at the start. After the race, B Prebble reported that on jumping SUPER GOODIES over-reached and in doing so lost its left front plate. Approaching the 1000 Metres, NEW GLORY raced tight inside AEROSA. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres and again making the turn after the 600 Metres, SUPER GOODIES got its head on the side and hung out. After the 600 Metres, SHAHJEE was left racing wide and without cover. Also after the 600 Metres, AEROSA momentarily raced tight between NEW GLORY and SHAHJEE. After the 200 Metres, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE had difficulty obtaining clear running behind AEROSA and inside SHAHJEE. Over the concluding stages, GLENEALY STAR was awkwardly placed outside the heels of XILAI XIANZI which shifted out. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of D Whyte (AEROSA), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned, G Mossé, the rider of BEST WIN, advised the Stewards that BEST WIN was known to him to be difficult to manage in races and which had a history of hanging out. He said it had been explained to him that he should shift BEST WIN across behind runners shortly after the start and obtain a position on the rail as this would afford BEST WIN the best opportunity to race in a tractable manner. He said accordingly he shifted BEST WIN across to race on the fence near the 1000 Metres, however, BEST WIN, after this, got its head on the side and hung out making the first turn. He said BEST WIN continued to race with its head on the side travelling along the Back Straight. He said it was available to him after the 800 Metres to improve his position to be racing inside INTELLECTUALSTRIDE so as to follow XILAI XIANZI, however, he was reluctant to improve his position at this time because of BEST WIN’s inclination to hang out. He added approaching the 600 Metres INTELLECTUALSTRIDE got its head on the side and lay in slightly behind XILAI XIANZI and for this reason he was still unable to allow BEST WIN to improve its position towards the heels of INTELLECTUALSTRIDE. He said making the turn after the 600 Metres BEST WIN continued to race with its head on the side. He said at the 500 Metres he commenced to ride BEST WIN along as INTELLECTUALSTRIDE was being directed out at this time and he felt that that horse had shifted out sufficiently to allow BEST WIN the opportunity to improve. He added that approaching the 400 Metres he rode BEST WIN along to make ground to the inside of INTELLECTUALSTRIDE and had made up ground on XILAI XIANZI. He said in the Straight he shifted his mount towards the inside, however, BEST WIN continued to race with its head on the side and lay out, resulting in it proving somewhat difficult to ride. G Mossé was told his explanation would be reported. A veterinary inspection of SUPER BRAND and SUPER GOODIES after the race did not show any significant findings. AEROSA, NEW GLORY and LUCKY TURBO were sent for sampling. <15/12/2011 Additional Veterinary Report> SUPER GOODIES, which over-reached on jumping, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings other than the horse had lost its left front plate. SUPER GOODIES was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K W Lui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER GOODIES will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.