06/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

SUPER SPECIAL began awkwardly, got its head up, shifted out and bumped MEGA HILL heavily. As a consequence, MEGA HILL became badly unbalanced. ELECTRONIC MASTER was slightly slow into stride, then shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SUPER FIGHTER. On jumping, FLY HIGH and RACING SPIRIT were crowded for room inside GANBARIA which shifted in. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, KINGSTON MARBLE failed to muster and for the major part of the race travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, GANBARIA, which was hanging in, was steadied away from the heels of LOYAL ARMY (W C Marwing) which shifted in when not properly clear. W C Marwing was told to exercise greater care. After entering the Back Straight, SUPER SPECIAL proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, BIG KAHUNA got its head up and became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of FLY HIGH. After the 50 Metres, BIG KAHUNA was steadied away from the heels of LOYAL ARMY. After this, BIG KAHUNA had difficulty obtaining clear running in the run to the line. In the Straight, LOYAL ARMY hung in. W C Marwing explained he made use of his mount in the early stages and led which he was comfortable to do providing he was able to dictate the terms of the race. He said after entering the Back Straight GANBARIA commenced to improve its position on his outside and he felt the race would develop into a speed battle in front if he endeavoured to hold its position to prevent GANBARIA crossing to the lead. He said as he was mindful that LOYAL ARMY was giving 11 lbs in weight to GANBARIA, he believed it would be in the best interest of his mount to allow GANBARIA to cross and provide him a position with cover. When questioned, O Doleuze (MARVELLOUS) said he had intended to follow KINGSTON MARBLE which had drawn to his inside in the run. He said MARVELLOUS began satisfactorily, he did not initially ride along in an endeavour to allow KINGSTON MARBLE to go forward of him, however, that horse did not show the speed which he had anticipated. He said as KINGSTON MARBLE commenced to cross, it became apparent to him that MEGA HILL would hold a position on the back of that horse and he therefore elected to steady his mount, come back and obtain a position behind MEGA HILL to avoid racing wide and without cover. He said as a consequence MARVELLOUS travelled further back than intended. He said in the Straight MARVELLOUS did not quicken as he had anticipated and disappointed him in the manner in which it finished the race off. Mr B K Ng, the trainer of MARVELLOUS, said he had anticipated the horse would travel in a more forward position around midfield, however, after viewing the video of the race he accepted O Doleuze’s explanation for taking MARVELLOUS back to the rear to avoid being caught wide and without cover. KINGSTON MARBLE and MARVELLOUS were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of KINGSTON MARBLE and MARVELLOUS after the race did not show any significant findings. GANBARIA and LOYAL ARMY were sent for sampling.