23/04/2008  Happy Valley  Race 8

On jumping, PALETTE THE BEST and WARM EMBRACES bumped. At the 1300 Metres, NASA PEARL and LIVERBIRD were hampered and carried wider by KING HOGAN which while being steadied when proving difficult to settle shifted out. After this, NASA PEARL travelled wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. From on straightening until after the 200 Metres, AMSTERDAM was held up and unable to obtain clear running. For a considerable distance after straightening, THE WITCH’S BROOM had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 250 Metres, PALETTE THE BEST was shifted wider to obtain clear running. At the 200 Metres, WARM EMBRACES got its head on the side, shifted in and was steadied away from the heels of LOCAL POWER which shifted out. G Boss (PRIME TARGET) said the intention from the outside barrier had been to have the horse travel in 4th or 5th position with cover if possible. He said PRIME TARGET began only fairly, he then rode along in an endeavour to carry out his instructions, however, a number of runners to his inside were also ridden to go forward. He said after the 1600 Metres when travelling wide he considered steadying PRIME TARGET to take it back behind runners, however, he was aware he would continue to be caught wide, he therefore rode PRIME TARGET along in the hope that the field approaching the winning post on the first occasion would start to spread out and he would then have the opportunity to obtain a position behind the lead. He said a line of horses continued to race on his inside and as a consequence after passing the winning post on the first occasion he was left racing five wide outside the lead. He said after the 1200 Metres when FANTASTIC DANCER went forward to cross to the rail in the lead, he elected to go forward on his mount and cross to race outside that horse. He said as a consequence of the use he had been required to make of PRIME TARGET in the early stages, the horse gave ground in the Straight. He said the circumstances of tonight’s race did not suit PRIME TARGET. C K Tong (SOLAR POWER) explained as tonight’s track appeared to be suiting horses being ridden in prominent positions, he was instructed from a wide barrier to go forward and attempt to obtain a position with cover. He said a number of runners went forward in the early stages and SOLAR POWER was not able to clear those runners to his inside and as a consequence was left racing wide on the track. He said because of this near the 1300 Metres he came back on his mount in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover, however, he was not able to do so. LOCAL POWER, KING HOGAN and PALETTE THE BEST were sent for sampling.