09/04/2008  Happy Valley  Race 4

TRULLI was slow to begin and then was taken across behind runners. On jumping, BE MY SONG and GUAN DAO bumped. ROCKET POWER began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, SUGAR ON TOP got its head on the side, shifted out and was checked severely away from the heels of BRILLIANT ONE. ENCOSTA DON, which was following, was checked in consequence. Throughout the race, MR COOL travelled wide and without cover and near the 700 Metres was bumped by BE MY SONG which shifted out. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, ENCOSTA DON was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of TRULLI. Also making the turn at the 600 Metres, ROCKET POWER was crowded for room inside COOL CAT which was carried in slightly by BE MY SONG which got its head on the side and shifted away from MR COOL. After the 300 Metres, ROCKET POWER and TRULLI bumped. After the 250 Metres, ROCKET POWER became unbalanced when bumped by TRULLI when that horse was carried in slightly by COOL CAT which was giving ground. E Saint-Martin (CONFUCIUS CLASSIC) said he had been instructed to allow the horse to travel where it was comfortable and it was anticipated this might be in a forward position. He said CONFUCIUS CLASSIC began well from the outside barrier, he did not press the horse to go forward as the horse has proved difficult to settle in the past. He said when runners on the inside showed superior speed, he took CONFUCIUS CLASSIC back in the hope of obtaining a position with cover, however, the horse again proved difficult to settle and he was not able to restrain it to a position with cover. He said as a consequence CONFUCIUS CLASSIC travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight was unable to finish the race off. S K Sit (BE MY SONG) said he had been instructed to lead, however, if other horses showed superior speed in the early stages, he should take a sit. He said despite being ridden along in the early stages BE MY SONG did not show sufficient speed to obtain the lead, therefore making the turn at the 1000 Metres he elected to steady his mount. He said along the Back Straight BE MY SONG proved very difficult to settle, however, he was of the opinion that if he endeavoured to improve his position at that time, he would not be able to cross the leaders before reaching the turn at the 600 Metres. He said MR COOL which was racing to his outside went forward approaching the turn at the 600 Metres, he therefore allowed that horse to cross to provide cover to BE MY SONG in an endeavour to have the horse relaxed. He said in the Straight BE MY SONG was disappointing in the manner in which it closed the race off. ROCKET POWER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of ROCKET POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. MI REILLY and TOP TOP LIGHT were sent for sampling.