03/02/2010  Happy Valley  Race 4

RECORD HIGH was slow to begin. Passing the 600 Metres, RECORD HIGH was awkwardly placed close to the heels of IMPLIED VOLATILITY. LEO’S PRIDE was not able to obtain clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. When questioned, Mr A Schutz, the trainer of CONNOISSEUR’S LOVE, stated that from a wide barrier tonight he instructed A Suborics, the rider of the horse, to take it across behind runners shortly after the start and obtain a position with cover. He said that, in his opinion, CONNOISSEUR’S LOVE takes some time to muster speed and as he expected the pace of the race to be quite solid, he believed that if CONNOISSEUR’S LOVE was ridden to obtain a forward position tonight, the horse would be left racing wide and without cover. He said that this had previously occurred in the past when CONNOISSEUR’S LOVE had drawn wide. He said he did note that a number of starts ago when last drawn wide over the same course and distance, the horse had been ridden in a position towards the rear and had been able to close off the race on that occasion. He said, in his opinion, CONNOISSEUR’S LOVE would not have shown sufficient speed to overcome its wide draw and the horse’s best interests were served by being taken behind runners rather than risk the prospect of being forced to race wide throughout the race and weakening in the Straight. When questioned, Apprentice T H So (CENTURY MOLLY) stated that he had been instructed to lead if possible, however, if horses showed superior speed, he should attempt to obtain cover behind the leaders. He said from the outside barrier he rode CENTURY MOLLY along in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed, however, the horse did not show sufficient speed, therefore he elected to attempt to shift across behind CHATER DE LAGO in the early stages to obtain a position with cover. He added however that he was not able to obtain cover behind that horse, therefore he allowed CENTURY MOLLY to stride forward passing the 1200 Metres in an attempt to obtain a position with cover. He stated that he was not able to do so and for this reason CENTURY MOLLY was obliged to race wide and without cover throughout the event. He said due to the hard run endured by CENTURY MOLLY, the horse weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of MEGA BULLET, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and CENTURY MOLLY after the race did not show any significant findings. HEALTHY BLUEBERRY, IMPLIED VOLATILITY and LEO’S PRIDE were sent for sampling.