08/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 1

TAKE IT EASY was withdrawn on 7.4.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MULTI-WIN SPIRIT (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, TAKE IT EASY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MULTI-WIN SPIRIT began awkwardly and lost ground. TOP SPEED and FASTER FASTER were slow to begin. Shortly after the start, REDHILL COMMANDER was taken back. At the 800 Metres, MUTUAL GAIN was bumped on the hindquarters by ACTUARIAL TALENT which improved on its inside. For some distance after this, ACTUARIAL TALENT raced tight between MUTUAL GAIN and SUPER FANTASY which shifted out when proving difficult to settle. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, FASTER FASTER and TOP SPEED were steadied when crowded for room inside FAST WINNER (M Du Plessis) which shifted in while hanging. M Du Plessis was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground. Prior to straightening, DOUBLE FANTASY was tightened for room inside MAXIMUM CHARM. Near the 200 Metres, TOP SPEED, which was commencing to close the race off, was steadied and shifted in when disappointed for running between SUPER FANTASY and FAST WINNER. For the major part of the race, FAST WINNER hung in and after entering the Back Straight when racing wide was steadied in an attempt to obtain a position with cover. D Whyte (MAXIMUM CHARM) explained the intention had been to ride the horse in a position around midfield if possible. He said MAXIMUM CHARM tonight began better than expected. He said when a number of runners which had drawn to his inside held their positions approaching the turn at the 1000 Metres, he elected to ride MAXIMUM CHARM along to cross and race outside OPTIC KING in the lead. He said after obtaining this position he then elected to steady MAXIMUM CHARM, however, the horse travelled in a more prominent position than expected. He said MAXIMUM CHARM was somewhat disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off and whilst the horse had travelled further forward than anticipated, he did not make unnecessary use of his mount to do so. When questioned regarding the performance of NOBLE ZOOM, Apprentice M L Yeung said he had been instructed to go forward and endeavour to lead as the horse did when it was successful at its most recent start. He said from an awkward barrier he rode along in the early stages, however, due to the quick tempo of the race he was not able to cross runners to his inside. He said he continued to ride NOBLE ZOOM along in an endeavour to carry out his instructions until going into the Back Straight, however, NOBLE ZOOM remained racing wide and as a consequence of the use made of the horse together with the extra work covered by NOBLE ZOOM, it gave ground in the Straight. MUTUAL GAIN and NOBLE ZOOM were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MUTUAL GAIN and NOBLE ZOOM after the race did not show any significant findings. MAXIMUM CHARM, DOUBLE FANTASY and MULTI-WIN SPIRIT were sent for sampling.