19/09/2012  Happy Valley  Race 8

From wide barriers, CHEER and BANKSTERS BONUS were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, ELEGANCE KLAMMER was steadied away from the heels of JIMSON THE BEST (C W Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. C W Wong was advised to exercise care. Near the 500 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EMPEROR CLAUDIUS which commenced to give ground quickly after travelling wide and without cover throughout the race. BANKSTERS BONUS, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of PERFECT CHEERS in consequence. In the Straight, WINNING EDGE got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DISTILL, R Fourie stated that he was able to obtain a good position in about midfield. He said although his mount raced in restricted room inside WINNING EDGE near the 600 Metres, this did not appear to adversely affect DISTILL’s chances. He said he placed the horse under pressure at the 500 Metres, however, despite being ridden along, DISTILL did not respond to his riding and pulled up very quickly after passing the winning post. He added that although DISTILL became unbalanced on a number of occasions in the Straight, he could not detect anything amiss with the horse’s action and, in his opinion, it was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of DISTILL after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PERFECT CHEERS, W M Lai stated that although he had cover behind EMPEROR CLAUDIUS, PERFECT CHEERS was not able to shift in to race any closer than three wide. He said at the 500 Metres PERFECT CHEERS lost momentum when EMPEROR CLAUDIUS commenced to give ground and after being shifted to the outside of that horse, he placed PERFECT CHEERS under pressure, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and did not close off the race. He said whilst PERFECT CHEERS was disappointing, he was of the opinion that the circumstances of tonight’s race did not favour the horse. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT CHEERS after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EMPEROR CLAUDIUS after the race did not show any significant findings. ELEGANCE KLAMMER, FUN RIDER and LITTLE DREAMS were sent for sampling.