12/02/2014  Happy Valley  Race 7

As A Suborics was unable to fulfil the engagement on STRONG FOUNDATION due to being overweight, W M Lai was substituted as the rider of that horse. A Suborics was fined the sum of $5,000. TANGO FIRE began only fairly. From a wide barrier, SICHUAN VIGOUR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start and then for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, SUPER PLUS was crowded for room inside HONG KONG DANCER which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Also making the turn near the 1000 Metres, TANGO FIRE got its head up and shifted in away from the heels of BOULD MOVER, causing STRONG FOUNDATION to be hampered and lose ground. Near the 900 Metres, SUPER PLUS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HONG KONG DANCER. RAINBOW FIGHTER, which was following SUPER PLUS and proving difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of that horse when racing tight inside TANGO FIRE. Near the 600 Metres, SUPER PLUS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HONG KONG DANCER. Near the 150 Metres, SKY FAR was shifted out away from the heels of OVETT to continue improving. When questioned, T Angland stated that he had been instructed to obtain a forward position on STEP FASTER from the outside barrier as it was felt that due to the make-up of the field the horse may be able to obtain a position near the lead without having too much use made of it in the early stages. He said after shifting his mount across in the early stages, he was left racing wide making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, therefore he allowed it to stride forward in an endeavour to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said near the 800 Metres he was left racing in a three wide position outside BOTH SURE and OVETT and rather than continue to race wide and without cover, he elected to allow his mount to stride forward into the lead. He said because STEP FASTER had to be used up somewhat to prevent it having to race wide and without cover, the horse was then not able to finish off its race as it had in recent starts. Trainer W Y So stated that at its most recent start when STEP FASTER drew barrier 11, he felt that there was good speed in that race and that STEP FASTER would not be able to show sufficient pace to clear runners to its inside and would likely be left racing wide. He said therefore he instructed Jockey Angland to shift STEP FASTER across behind runners and obtain cover. He said in tonight's race there did not appear to be any established leaders and he felt that the race would be run differently to the horse's most recent start and that this may provide STEP FASTER the opportunity of obtaining a forward position. He said unfortunately the circumstances of tonight's race did not eventuate as he anticipated and this resulted in more use having to be made of STEP FASTER to overcome the wide draw than he had hoped. A veterinary inspection of STEP FASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of OVETT, J Moreira stated that the horse was more relaxed tonight than it was at its last start when it raced well. He said OVETT travelled well in a forward position outside BOTH SURE and the tempo of the race in the early and middle stages was not strong. He said he commenced to ride OVETT along from near the 500 Metres and the horse did not quicken as he expected it would. He added he placed OVETT under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, it responded only fairly to his riding and after the 100 Metres weakened when horses improved around him. He said in the circumstances OVETT was disappointing tonight. A veterinary inspection of OVETT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of TANGO FIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. OVETT, RAINBOW FIGHTER and SICHUAN VIGOUR were sent for sampling.