19/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

HOLD HANDS began awkwardly and lost ground. KING HOGAN was slow into stride. With the intention of being ridden quietly due to the anticipated pace of the race, NILOMETER from its wide barrier was taken back in the early stages. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, MULTO EXPRESSO was checked to avoid the heels of BULLISH WIN (E Saint-Martin) which was being steadied and taken back when tightened for room inside LOCAL POWER. When MULTO EXPRESSO was being checked, it shifted in and caused crowding on its inside to MY SMARTIE and NOBLE HEART. Shortly after this, MY SMARTIE was checked to avoid the heels of BULLISH WIN which shifted in slightly further. In relation to the incident in which MY SMARTIE was checked, E Saint-Martin pleaded not guilty to a charge of careless riding. Having heard submissions put by E Saint-Martin in answer to the charge, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied he was in breach of the Rules and therefore the charge was not sustained. Making the Home Turn, MY SMARTIE was carried wider by HOLD HANDS which shifted out. Shortly after straightening, REAL SPECIAL was hampered and carried in by BULLISH WIN which shifted in after initially being carried wider by REAL SPECIAL rounding the Home Turn. E Saint-Martin was told to exercise greater care. In this incident, some inconvenience was caused to NOBLE HEART. At the 150 Metres, SOUTH BREEZE was steadied when awkwardly placed between MY SMARTIE and NILOMETER which was steadied and shifted to the outside of CHATER SILK into clear running. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MULTO EXPRESSO, M Du Plessis said after receiving interference in the early stages of the race, his mount was left racing wide and without cover. He said MULTO EXPRESSO did not give him the same feel as when he was successful on the horse two starts ago and in his opinion felt somewhat “flat” today. He did say while MULTO EXPRESSO did cover ground in the run, in his opinion the horse was disappointing. MULTO EXPRESSO was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. REAL SPECIAL was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MULTO EXPRESSO and REAL SPECIAL after the race did not show any significant findings. BULLISH WIN and HOLD HANDS were sent for sampling.