07/07/2010  Happy Valley  Race 8

MY MATE ADRIC was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between FLORAL PICASSO and ROYAL KNIGHT, both of which shifted ground. After the 1100 Metres, TRAVEL GUIDE was left racing wide and without cover. Just prior to the winning post, WHATABOB was steadied away from the heels of VIVA FIGHTER. Because of this, WHATABOB was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. BOUNCER (Z Purton) shifted in after passing the winning post, resulting in VILASOL being taken across the rightful running of VIVA FIGHTER which was checked. Z Purton was advised that although the incident occurred after passing the winning post, he should have done more to prevent his mount from shifting ground than he did on this occasion. When questioned regarding the performance of SILVER SUN, B Prebble stated that he had been instructed that if SILVER SUN was pressured in the lead, he should take the seat behind the leaders rather than get caught in a speed battle. He said in the early stages when both FLORAL PICASSO and GILDED FLIGHT raced to his outside, rather than continue on into the lead, he elected to allow FLORAL PICASSO to cross. He said after he did this, SILVER SUN relaxed and travelled comfortably. He said passing the 600 Metres SILVER SUN was travelling strongly and he anticipated that the horse would sprint well when asked. He added that at the entrance to the Straight clear running presented itself between FLORAL PICASSO and GILDED FLIGHT, however, SILVER SUN failed to let down as he expected it would and was disappointing in its failure to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of SILVER SUN after the race did not show any significant findings. ROYAL KNIGHT, BOUNCER and GILDED FLIGHT were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ROYAL KNIGHT had lost its left front plate and that VIVA FIGHTER had sustained a cut to its left hind pastern.