30/01/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

THE WORLD OF LOVE began awkwardly, got its head up and lost ground. ENGINEERING WONDER was slow to begin. On jumping, CENTURY SUPER STAR was checked when crowded for room between PROPELLOR and KING PRAWN SUPREME which shifted out. In this incident, PROPELLOR also became unbalanced and lost ground. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FEEL-SO-GOOD (F Coetzee) failed to muster speed, then throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Near the 500 Metres, ENGINEERING WONDER was steadied away from the heels of BEAUTY PLUS. F Coetzee said in his opinion the poor performance of FEEL-SO-GOOD was attributable to these circumstances. Y T Cheng (BEAUTY PLUS) said his mount travelled satisfactorily until the 200 Metres and then gave ground quickly. He said in his opinion BEAUTY PLUS did not appreciate tonight’s track conditions. When questioned, C Soumillon (KING PRAWN SUPREME) said from the inside barrier in the early stages he travelled on the rail. He said making the turn at the 1000 Metres FERRO BEAU crossed from his outside to take up a position on the rail. He said after entering the Back Straight FERRO BEAU steadied slightly when MR COOL crossed to the lead. He said when this occurred KING PRAWN SUPREME, which was racing in blinkers for the first occasion, travelled keenly when racing close to the heels of FERRO BEAU. He said in his opinion KING PRAWN SUPREME was not comfortable racing in that position and he therefore shifted away from the rail to follow HURRAY HURRAY. He said KING PRAWN SUPREME travelled fairly along the Back Straight, however, after being bumped on the hindquarters by CENTURY SUPER STAR after the 700 Metres then hung out making the turn at the 600 Metres. He said in the Straight KING PRAWN SUPREME finished the race off only fairly. G Boss (ENCORE WIN) said he had been instructed to ride the horse in a position with cover if possible from an awkward barrier. He said after beginning well he allowed other runners to go forward in the hope of obtaining a position with cover. He said after entering the Back Straight he was travelling in a midfield position and he endeavoured to shift in to follow CENTURY SUPER STAR, however, was not able to do so as BEAUTY PLUS improved on his inside. He said after the 700 Metres he did obtain a position with cover behind CENTURY SUPER STAR which at this time was carried into a three wide position. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres despite being ridden along ENCORE WIN was reluctant to hold its position and in the Straight was most disappointing. He said in his opinion ENCORE WIN did not handle tonight’s track conditions. E Saint-Martin (HURRAY HURRAY) was unable to offer any explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said HURRAY HURRAY travelled comfortably until after entering the Home Straight, however, when placed under pressure did not respond to his riding due to tonight’s track conditions. ENCORE WIN, HURRAY HURRAY and FEEL-SO-GOOD were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ENCORE WIN, HURRAY HURRAY and FEEL-SO-GOOD after the race did not show any significant findings. KING PRAWN SUPREME, FERRO BEAU and MR COOL were sent for sampling.