18/01/2012  Happy Valley  Race 7

When leaving the Parade Ring, T Angland was dislodged from GLENEALY STAR. THE PRINCE was slow to begin. GAMEKEEPERS shifted out at the start and bumped AEROSA which in turn shifted out, resulting in SHAHJEE being taken out onto MAKE IT which was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY YEAH YEAH. TIME RUNNER was tightened for room at the start between MERRY ANNIVERSARY and PERFECT FIT which shifted in. From the outside barrier, GLENEALY STAR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1000 Metres, TIME RUNNER and GAMEKEEPERS made heavy contract, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, TIME RUNNER got its head on the side and shifted out. AEROSA, which was following TIME RUNNER, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse after the 500 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GAMEKEEPERS, D Whyte stated that after beginning well he rode GAMEKEEPERS along to obtain a forward position. He said near the 1000 Metres GAMEKEEPERS became badly unbalanced after making heavy contact with TIME RUNNER. He said after entering the Back Straight he remained racing outside TIME RUNNER to establish whether that horse was going to lead the race, however, approaching the 800 Metres it was apparent to him that TIME RUNNER was being ridden with a view to obtaining cover and for this reason he allowed GAMEKEEPERS to improve its position to be racing outside the leader, MERRY ANNIVERSARY. He said after this GAMEKEEPERS travelled well until rounding the Home Turn at which time the horse came under heavy pressure. He added when placed under pressure GAMEKEEPERS got its head on the side and hung in. He said although GAMEKEEPERS momentarily raced in restricted room between HAPPY YEAH YEAH and MERRY ANNIVERSARY, both of which shifted ground near the 200 Metres, this was of little significance and GAMEKEEPERS, in his opinion, was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the final 200 Metres. He did say that although GAMEKEEPERS travelled well in the middle stages, he felt that the heavy contact with TIME RUNNER near the 1000 Metres may have had a bearing on the performance of GAMEKEEPERS. A veterinary inspection of GAMEKEEPERS after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of AEROSA, B Prebble stated that it had been intended for AEROSA to be ridden either in the lead or outside the lead. He said he had ridden AEROSA in a piece of work in the lead up to tonight’s race and that work, in his opinion, was good. He said after being bumped by GAMEKEEPERS on jumping and becoming unbalanced, he allowed his mount to take up a forward position. He said he had to adjust his left foot in the iron shortly after the start. He said when he observed a number of runners being ridden along to obtain forward positions to his inside, he elected to shift AEROSA behind the leaders and obtained cover rather than travel unnecessarily wide. He said after obtaining a position behind TIME RUNNER on entering the Back Straight, AEROSA then travelled comfortably until the 500 Metres at which time the horse came under pressure. He added passing the 500 Metres he was obliged to shift out away from the heels of TIME RUNNER into a position three wide and without cover, however, at this time AEROSA was already under considerable pressure to maintain its position. He said despite being ridden out in the Straight AEROSA was disappointing in its failure to close off the race as strongly as had been anticipated. He added after the race he did advise the connections to consider adding blinkers to the gear of AEROSA and stepping that horse up in distance. A veterinary inspection of AEROSA after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, C K Tong (THE PRINCE) stated that prior to the Home Turn he rode his mount along in an endeavour to improve his position, however, making the Home Turn THE PRINCE put in a number of awkward strides and became very unbalanced. He said after entering the Straight he commenced to ride his mount along, however, THE PRINCE’s action continued to be of concern to him and for this reason he did not test the horse over the final 200 Metres as he felt that something was amiss with it. A veterinary inspection of THE PRINCE after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, THE PRINCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TIME RUNNER had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of MERRY ANNIVERSARY after the race did not show any significant findings. GAMEKEEPERS, HAPPY YEAH YEAH and GLENEALY STAR were sent for sampling.