06/11/2007  Happy Valley  Race 5

KEY WINNER began awkwardly and lost ground. BARRACUDA was slow to begin and shortly afterwards lost further ground when crowded for room between ABLE KNIGHT which shifted in and VINTAGE GOLD which was carried out by CITY SURFER. In the early stages, HAPPY ALL AROUND travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, CHEERFUL HEART and G-ONE LEADING raced tight. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 400 Metres, LIVERBIRD was held up and unable to improve. Near the 200 Metres, MASTER DREAMER was carried wider by CHEERFUL HEART which shifted to the outside of G-ONE LEADING into clear running. When questioned, W M Lai (MASTER DREAMER) explained after the 800 Metres his mount was travelling comfortably and he felt if he rode along to improve his position to get on the back of WONDERFUL BLESSING, MASTER DREAMER might commence to over-race. He said at this stage he was about a half length behind ABLE KNIGHT and he did not anticipate that horse would shift away from the rail approaching the 600 Metres, therefore he did not endeavour to improve his position. He said near the 600 Metres when ABLE KNIGHT shifted out, he was carried wider on the track, eventually into a four wide position. W M Lai was told at all times to ensure he rides his mounts in a competitive manner. B Prebble (HAPPY ALL AROUND) explained he was required to make use of the horse in the early stages to cross and race outside the lead. He said HAPPY ALL AROUND travelled comfortably in the middle section of the race, however, when ABLE KNIGHT improved around his outside after the 500 Metres HAPPY ALL AROUND failed to quicken. He said in his opinion the horse was not suited by the tempo of tonight’s race and this accounted for its performance. Apprentice C W Wong (CITY SURFER) said he had been instructed to ride forward out of the barriers and cross to the fence in front of LIVERBIRD. He said it was anticipated that BARRACUDA and HAPPY ALL AROUND would then improve around his outside and provide him with cover in the box seat. He said he rode in accordance with his instructions in the early stages and was able to cross to the fence in front of LIVERBIRD after passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said near the 1200 Metres HAPPY ALL AROUND crossed to race on his outside but did not continue on to provide him with cover and as a consequence CITY SURFER raced keenly in the lead. He said when CITY SURFER was successful at its most recent run, it relaxed in a position with cover, however, tonight because of the manner in which it raced without cover the horse performed disappointingly. CITY SURFER and BARRACUDA were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CITY SURFER and BARRACUDA after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY ALL AROUND, G-ONE LEADING and ABLE KNIGHT were sent for sampling.