05/03/2008  Happy Valley  Race 3

From a wide barrier, GOLDEN CARE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. On jumping, SIAMERIC TE SPECSO and SPEED FIGHTER bumped. Shortly after the start, SIAMERIC TE SPECSO, SPEED FIGHTER and AMO were crowded for room between LE ROSSIGNOL and ENCHANTED, both of which shifted ground. In the early and middle stages, ALL TIME HIGH travelled wide and without cover. Near the 800 Metres, GOAL KEEPER, which was racing wide, was steadied in an endeavour to find a position with cover, however, after not being able to do so was ridden along near the 700 Metres and then raced wide and without cover. After the 600 Metres, ENCHANTED was left racing wide without cover. On straightening, SPEED FIGHTER, which was endeavouring to obtain clear running, was steadied away from the heels of ENCHANTED. For some distance after this, SPEED FIGHTER continued to have difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 200 Metres, ENCORE WIN, which had been held up and unable to obtain clear running and at this time commenced to improve towards the outside of GRAND COMMANDS, was bumped by ALL TIME HIGH which shifted in. At the 150 Metres, ALL TIME HIGH was then bumped by ENCORE WIN which shifted out. When questioned regarding the poor performance of SIAMERIC TE SPECSO, B Prebble said after the horse was crowded for room shortly after the start, it at no stage of the race then felt comfortable in its action. He said SIAMERIC TE SPECSO in his opinion did not handle tonight's track conditions which were firmer than when the horse was previously successful on turf. He added SIAMERIC TE SPECSO may be better suited racing on the All Weather surface or tracks which are more forgiving than that of tonight. When questioned, Y T Cheng (CLASSA SUPREME), which was dropping back in distance from 1650 Metres to 1200 Metres tonight, said from an awkward barrier he had been instructed to ride the horse in a position with cover. He said CLASSA SUPREME had been disappointing in recent starts when failing to finish its races off. He said on jumping CLASSA SUPREME bumped with ALL TIME HIGH and he then did not ride his mount along in accordance with his instructions. He said after travelling a short distance it became apparent to him that he would be left racing wide and without cover and therefore near the 1100 Metres he steadied his mount and shifted across behind runners, however, travelled in a position at the rear. He said CLASSA SUPREME travelled comfortably throughout the race, had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then closed the race off strongly. Mr L Ho, trainer of CLASSA SUPREME, confirmed the riding instructions issued and said these instructions were issued after consulting with the owners of the horse. He said he had been disappointed with the manner in which CLASSA SUPREME had performed when racing over 1650 Metres at its recent starts and therefore despite there being an opportunity for the horse to again race over 1650 Metres tonight it was decided to drop the horse back in distance and ride it with cover in the hope it would close the race off. He said he anticipated tonight's race would be run at a good tempo and that CLASSA SUPREME would obtain a position around midfield and was hopeful that the horse might travel on the rail as it performs best when doing so. He said he was satisfied with Y T Cheng's explanation for CLASSA SUPREME travelling further back than anticipated and also accepted the horse was not able to travel in a position on the rail. He said the manner in which CLASSA SUPREME closed tonight's race off pleased him. He said if the horse next races over 1200 Metres, it would be his intention to have it again race in a position with cover, however, not as far back in the field as it was tonight if circumstances permit. He said if the horse next races over 1650 Metres, depending on the tempo of the race, the horse may again be ridden in the lead. The explanations of Y T Cheng and Mr Ho were reported. ENCORE WIN and MACHO EXPRESSO were sent for sampling.