30/01/2013  Happy Valley  Race 8

As the start was effected, PERFECT CHEERS, which had been fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. FLEET COMMAND knuckled over on jumping. From the outside barrier, EMPEROR CLAUDIUS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Also shortly after the start, BANKSTERS BONUS was steadied when crowded for room between NOBLE DELUXE and WINNING EDGE which got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly at the start. WINNING EDGE then continued to shift in and bumped NOBLE DELUXE which became unbalanced. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SPLENDID VICTORY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JUN GONG. For the majority of the early stages, KING OF REASON travelled wide and without cover until after the 800 Metres at which time the horse shifted in to race outside the leader. Passing the 1200 Metres, SPLENDID VICTORY commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasion when being checked away from the heels of JUN GONG which itself was travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING EDGE. Then passing the 1100 Metres, SPLENDID VICTORY shifted out abruptly when being checked away from the heels of JUN GONG, resulting in FLEET COMMAND being bumped and taken wider. NOBLE DELUXE, which was following FLEET COMMAND, was checked away from the heels of that horse whilst RIDE WITH THE WIND and PERFECT CHEERS, which were following SPLENDID VICTORY, were also badly hampered. Then for some distance after the 1000 Metres, SPLENDID VICTORY continued to prove very difficult to settle and again got its head up on a number of occasions when racing close to the heels of JUN GONG. Passing the 500 Metres, BANKSTERS BONUS was steadied away from the heels of SPLENDID VICTORY which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, NOBLE DELUXE was steadied when disappointed for running between PERFECT CHEERS and FLEET COMMAND which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BUSINESS AS USUAL which also shifted out. JUN GONG was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight when racing close to the heels of WINNING EDGE and near the 250 Metres was shifted to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running. In the Straight, EMPEROR CLAUDIUS hung in and proved difficult to ride out. A veterinary inspection of WINNING EDGE and SPLENDID VICTORY after the race did not show any significant findings. BUSINESS AS USUAL and PERFECT CHEERS were sent for sampling.