05/12/2012  Happy Valley  Race 5

SUNNY FAY began awkwardly. DANCE FOR GOLD bumped CHINA POWER at the start, resulting in DANCE FOR GOLD being awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLD EDITION. A short distance later, CHINA POWER shifted out, resulting in LEELI’S STAR being taken out across DASHING FORTUNE which struck the heels of LEELI’S STAR and blundered. From the outside barrier, RISING POWER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CAPITAL K was slow to muster speed. GOLD EDITION was unable to obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, DASHING FORTUNE shifted out abruptly towards the heels of LEELI’S STAR which was giving ground. Passing the 150 Metres, CAPITAL K was steadied when disappointed for running between CAPE CANAVERAL and MASTER RIO which shifted out slightly. FLYING SMART had difficulty obtaining clear running over the concluding stages and because of this was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. For the majority of the race, LEELI’S STAR travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, B Prebble (DANCE FOR GOLD) stated that after becoming unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASTER RIO near the 900 Metres, he had to ride his mount along after this to maintain its position on the back of MASTER RIO. He said however that DANCE FOR GOLD was racing tight inside LEELI’S STAR and because of this was not able to hold its position behind MASTER RIO. He said he was reluctant to vigorously ride DANCE FOR GOLD along at this time as it was having its first start at Happy Valley tonight and was wearing blinkers for the first time and having in mind the turn at the 600 Metres was approaching, he was reluctant to have his mount come off the bridle at this time. He said making the turn after the 600 Metres he rode DANCE FOR GOLD along to maintain its position inside LEELI’S STAR and to the outside of CAPITAL K which at this time was being shifted out away from the heels of SUNNY FAY. He said he was aware that CAPE CANAVERAL was improving its position to his outside, however, as DANCE FOR GOLD was under pressure to hold its position behind LEELI’S STAR, he did not feel that it was in the horse’s best interests to be attempting to shift to the outside of LEELI’S STAR and force out CAPE CANAVERAL which was improving quickly to his outside. He added that at the entrance to the Straight he was able to immediately shift out to follow CAPITAL K and shifted to the outside of that horse shortly after entering the Straight. B Prebble was advised that whilst it was accepted that he was riding his mount along at the time CAPE CANAVERAL improved its position to his outside, nonetheless he must be mindful of positioning his mounts in such a manner so as to ensure that they are able to avail themselves of the opportunity to improve at vital stages of a race. CAPE CANAVERAL and DANCE FOR GOLD were sent for sampling.