20/02/2013  Happy Valley  Race 4

SPICY SHRIMP began awkwardly. NOBODY BUT YOU and SECRET OF WINNING were badly crowded for room at the start between SUPER GOAL ELITE which shifted in and D DAY SUPER which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. After this, D DAY SUPER was ridden along, however, got its head up on a number of occasions and failed to muster speed. From the outside barrier, HIGHLAND DRAGON was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. At the 800 Metres, SPICY SHRIMP raced tight inside CALL ME ACHIEVER which was taken in by SECRET OF WINNING which got its head on the side and shifted in away from SUPER GOAL ELITE. Near the 700 Metres, D DAY SUPER commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPICY SHRIMP which itself lost ground when momentarily racing tight inside CALL ME ACHIEVER. CROESUS, which was following CALL ME ACHIEVER, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. At the entrance to the Straight, FLASHING GUY was shifted out across the heels of SECRET OF WINNING to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, CALL ME ACHIEVER was steadied when crowded for room between SUPER GOAL ELITE which in the Straight got its head on the side and hung in under pressure when giving ground and SPICY SHRIMP which shifted out slightly. When questioned, U Rispoli stated that, from the wide barrier, he had been instructed to position TRUE COURAGE in about midfield and ride the horse for luck in the Straight. He said although TRUE COURAGE began awkwardly, he was able to shift the horse across behind runners in the early stages and obtain a position in about midfield. He said near the 800 Metres he momentarily raced tight between YOU ARE THE ONE and NOBODY BUT YOU, both of which shifted ground. He said making the first turn at the 600 Metres TRUE COURAGE shifted out abruptly when very awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOU ARE THE ONE (N Callan) which after shifting in then also shifted out abruptly. He said he was able to shift TRUE COURAGE back in closer to the rail near the 500 Metres, however, the horse had lost a considerable amount of ground in this incident. He said he placed TRUE COURAGE under pressure in the Straight, however, the horse did not respond to his riding. He added that he considered the incident at the 600 Metres had a significant bearing over the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of TRUE COURAGE after the race did not show any significant findings. In respect of the incident at the 600 Metres, N Callan was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Y T Cheng (JACK’S GEM) was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels in the run to the line wherever possible. A veterinary inspection of CALL ME ACHIEVER after the race did not show any significant findings. FLASHING GUY and CROESUS were sent for sampling.