11/03/2009  Happy Valley  Race 8

On jumping, WHITE JADE bumped with SAFETY FIRST and was then taken back. Also on jumping, NOBLE CONQUEROR and DORDENMA were taken back. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FAT DRAGON failed to muster speed. In the early part of the Straight, WHITE JADE had some difficulty obtaining clear running, then at the 100 Metres when being ridden out got its head on the side, hung in and bumped SAFETY FIRST which became unbalanced. At the 150 Metres, DORDENMA while racing tight inside FAT DRAGON was momentarily steadied away from the heels of SOUNDS BEST. Over about the final 100 Metres, GALAXY TREASURE was not able to obtain clear running. Because of this, GALAXY TREASURE was not tested. For the major part of the race, SAFETY FIRST travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of ROMPING, J Winks was not able to offer any explanation. He said ROMPING travelled comfortably behind the lead in the run and he felt at the 600 Metres the horse was travelling in a manner which suggested it would figure prominently in the finish of the race. He said after straightening he placed ROMPING under pressure, however, his mount did not respond as he had anticipated and failed to close the race off. ROMPING was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of ROMPING after the race did not show any significant findings. NOBLE CONQUEROR and WINNING REWARD and were sent for sampling.