21/01/2009  Happy Valley  Race 8

When the gates opened, WINNING REWARD lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. Near the 1600 Metres, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS was checked when crowded for room between CONGRATS and GREAT GUY (Z Purton) which got its head on the side and shifted in away from WEI HAI INVINCIBLE. Z Purton was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, GREAT GUY was steadied to avoid the heels of WEI HAI INVINCIBLE which shifted in when barely clear. CONGRATS, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of GREAT GUY and WATCH WHAT HAPPENS in turn was steadied away from the heels of CONGRATS. In the early and middle stages, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS proved difficult to settle. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, GOODY was hampered and carried wider by ANKH MORPORK which got its head on the side and shifted out. After the 600 Metres, HORACE’S CHOICE was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of GREAT GUY which in turn was racing tight inside GRAND CRU. Prior to straightening, HORACE’S CHOICE, which was attempting to improve into a narrow run on the inside of GREAT GUY, was steadied when GREAT GUY was carried in slightly by GRAND CRU which got its head on the side and hung in. WINNING REWARD, which was following, was steadied in consequence. No action was taken. After the 200 Metres, OPERATION SECRET, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied and shifted to the outside of ANKH MORPORK to go forward. Over about the 50 Metres, GRAND CRU did not obtain clear running and because of this was not ridden out to the end of the race. Over the concluding stages, WINNING REWARD, which was closing the race off fairly, was unable to obtain clear running. Because of this, WINNING REWARD was not ridden out to the end of the race. Close to the line, CONGRATS was steadied away from the heels of ANKH MORPORK (O Doleuze) which drifted in. Because of this, CONGRATS was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. O Doleuze will be told to exercise greater care. Just prior to the winning post, WEI HAI INVINCIBLE was steadied away from the heels of WATCH WHAT HAPPENS (J Victoire) which shifted in when not clear. J Victoire was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. In the Straight, HORACE’S CHOICE hung in and over the concluding stages was awkwardly placed on the heels of DORDENMA. Because of this, HORACE’S CHOICE was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Throughout the race, GRAND CRU travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of WATCH WHAT HAPPENS, Trainer S Woods said at the horse’s most recent start which was on the All Weather Track, it had performed poorly in a race which was not run to suit. He said WATCH WHAT HAPPENS from the outside barrier was taken back on jumping and raced with the rear. He said because of the tempo of the race the field became strung out and as a consequence WATCH WHAT HAPPENS was left racing in a considerable distance off the lead after the 800 Metres when other runners did not carry the horse forward. He said after travelling keenly in the early stages WATCH WHAT HAPPENS appeared to be travelling well, however, after being shifted to the outside in the Straight was disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off. He said tonight the intention was to ride WATCH WHAT HAPPENS in amongst horses and endeavour to have the horse relaxed. He said WATCH WHAT HAPPENS again travelled keenly in the early and middle stages tonight, however, did travel more comfortably when shifted to a three wide position with cover prior to entering the Back Straight. He said tonight WATCH WHAT HAPPENS followed GRAND CRU forward as that horse improved its position gradually approaching the 600 Metres. He said when shifted to the outside in the Straight WATCH WHAT HAPPENS was able to finish its race off because it enjoyed a better run in tonight’s race from an inside barrier. C Soumillon (HORACE’S CHOICE) will be afforded an opportunity of explaining his riding approaching the turn at the 600 Metres. GRAND CRU was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GRAND CRU after the race did not show any significant findings. HORACE’S CHOICE, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS and DORDENMA were sent for sampling.