09/11/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

ROMANCING TAMAR shifted in at the start, resulting in GREAT RENOWN and BUMPER STRIKE being hampered. NEW LEADER was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, O’REILLY MAGIC was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, BAITIWU was taken across behind runners. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, NEW LEADER raced tight inside TRAVEL GUIDE which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT RENOWN. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, LUCKY CHEVALIER got its head on the side and hung out. After being corrected by its rider, LUCKY CHEVALIER ran in abruptly near the 250 Metres, resulting in GREAT RENOWN and BUMPER STRIKE being crowded for room outside ROMANCING TAMAR. As the Stewards were of the view that LUCKY CHEVALIER had raced greenly at this time and the incident was not due to rider error, no further action was taken. O’REILLY MAGIC had difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. Near the 150 Metres, BUMPER STRIKE raced in restricted room between GREAT RENOWN and ROMANCING TAMAR, both of which shifted ground. Throughout the race, WISER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ROMANCING TAMAR, B Prebble stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position behind the leaders if possible. He said ROMANCING TAMAR began very well and when both BUMPER STRIKE and GREAT RENOWN were positioned to his inside, he was obliged to ride ROMANCING TAMAR along in the early stages to cross those horses. He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion he was able to obtain a position on the fence and was then provided cover by REAL DRAGON when that horse improved its position after the 1100 Metres. He said after being crossed, ROMANCING TAMAR travelled well until the 400 Metres at which time the horse came under pressure. He added that on a number of occasions in the Straight ROMANCING TAMAR shifted ground and did not feel entirely comfortable in its action. He said ROMANCING TAMAR was then disappointing in its failure to close off the race, particularly over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of ROMANCING TAMAR after the race did not show any significant findings. BAITIWU and GREAT RENOWN were sent for sampling.