07/03/2012  Happy Valley  Race 5

CAGA SPIRIT and MASTER RACER were severely checked at the start when crowded for room between EXCELLENT WIN and SHANGHAI PIONEER which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. In this incident, MASTER RACER made heavy contact with the hindquarters of EXCELLENT WIN which became badly unbalanced and which resulted in its rider, Apprentice T H So, becoming badly unbalanced in the saddle. ALL FRIENDS was slow to begin. Approaching the 1000 Metres, MASTER RACER became unbalanced when racing tight to the inside of PAR EXCELLENCE. Near the 800 Metres, CAGA SPIRIT was crowded for room inside MASTER RACER which itself was steadied after being crowded for room by PAR EXCELLENCE (N Callan) which shifted in when not properly clear. N Callan was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in future. Approaching the 600 Metres, ORIENTAL COURSER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASTER RACER. Near the 600 Metres, MASTER RACER shifted out slightly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PAR EXCELLENCE. ALL FRIENDS, which was following, struck the heels of MASTER RACER and blundered. Shortly after entering the Straight, MASTER RACER shifted in and was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of PAR EXCELLENCE. Throughout the race, PERFECT JOY travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, M Du Plessis stated that, from the outside barrier, he had been instructed to take GREEN EAGLE across behind runners in the early stages. He said at its most recent start, also from a wide barrier over the 1000 Metres, the horse had been ridden to go forward and too much use had to be made of it to obtain a forward position. He said when GREEN EAGLE drew the outside barrier for tonight’s race, it was decided that rather than again making use of the horse to clear runners to its inside, it would be better to shift GREEN EAGLE in and ride the horse off the pace. He said after taking GREEN EAGLE towards the rear in the early stages, it was taken wider by BRILLIANT ONE after the 800 Metres when that horse shifted out away from the heels of ALL FRIENDS. He said rather than race wide, he shifted GREEN EAGLE across towards the fence to have it travel better. He added he slapped the horse down the shoulder with the whip near the 700 Metres to have it improve its position, however, despite being ridden along GREEN EAGLE appeared to lose interest and was reluctant to improve its position. He said he continued to ride the horse along including using the whip on it on a number of occasions approaching and passing the 500 Metres. He said after this GREEN EAGLE finished off the race only fairly. When questioned, B Prebble stated that he had been instructed to ride WINSOME in about a midfield position if possible. He said WINSOME anticipated the start well and jumped best. He said when he observed EXCELLENT WIN, a horse he anticipated would lead the race, become very awkward on his inside shortly after the start, he elected to allow WINSOME to take up a forward position rather than unnecessarily restraining the horse to ride it in a midfield position as instructed. He said after obtaining the lead on the fence in the early stages, he felt the tempo of the race was only moderate until after making the turn at the 1000 Metres. He said he considered allowing MASTER KEY to cross, however, as WINSOME was travelling strongly, with its relative light weight, he elected to maintain his position to the inside of MASTER KEY which was carrying top weight in tonight’s race. He added due to the manner in which WINSOME began tonight and the circumstances of the race in the early stages, this resulted in it racing in a far more forward position than had been intended. Mr W Y So, assistant to Trainer C Fownes who was not present at tonight’s racemeeting, said that it was intended for WINSOME to be ridden in a more prominent position than had previously been the case if the horse began well tonight. He said WINSOME had begun only fairly previously which had resulted in its racing back in the field. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MASTER RACER had lost its right hind plate. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT JOY after the race did not show any significant findings. CAGA SPIRIT, WINSOME and MASTER KEY were sent for sampling.