01/11/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

FOREST STAR began awkwardly and shortly after the start was bumped by SOHNA which shifted out slightly. Shortly after the start, COMPACT YARN was hampered when crowded for room between WHATAFANTASY and A WALK IN THE PARK which shifted out. From the outside barrier, SEASON LINKZ was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Rounding the first turn at the 1000 Metres, SEVENS HEAVEN was checked when crowded for room between A WALK IN THE PARK and ASIAN CITRUS which was taken out by GOUF which got its head on the side and hung out. In this incident, SOHNA, which was racing outside SEVENS HEAVEN, was hampered in consequence. After this, SOHNA was left racing wide and passing the 600 Metres raced without cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, WHATAFANTASY was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY WINNER (G Mossé) which shifted in. G Mossé was advised to exercise care. For some distance in the middle stages, SEASON LINKZ proved difficult to settle. Approaching the 400 Metres, SEASON LINKZ became unbalanced when racing in restricted room between SUCCESSFUL ERA and FOREST STAR which shifted out slightly. GOUF got its head on the side and hung out rounding the Home Turn. In the early part of the Straight, A WALK IN THE PARK got its head on the side and was reluctant to shift to the outside of LUCKY WINNER. G Cheyne (PERFECT TEN) dropped his whip near the 200 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, SEVENS HEAVEN, which was giving ground, was checked when crowded for room between COMPACT YARN which shifted in slightly away from the heels of SOHNA which also shifted in and FOREST STAR which, when held up for clear running, improved to be racing between SEVENS HEAVEN and PERFECT TEN which shifted out slightly away from the heels of ASIAN CITRUS. As the Stewards did not believe that any rider was to blame for this incident, no further action was taken. Over the concluding stages, COMPACT YARN, which for some distance had raced tight inside SOHNA (Apprentice M L Yeung), was steadied when crowded for room inside that horse which continued to shift inwards. Apprentice Yeung was advised to ensure he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. FOREST STAR was unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the Straight and consequently was not tested. When questioned, Apprentice T H So (SUCCESSFUL ERA) explained that he had been instructed to take up a forward position on the horse. He said however SUCCESSFUL ERA was slow to begin after beginning awkwardly and when he immediately noticed that WHATAFANTASY and LUCKY WINNER, which were drawn either side of SUCCESSFUL ERA, were ridden aggressively to take up a forward position, he felt that had he ridden SUCCESSFUL ERA along to take up a forward position as instructed, then the horse would be left racing wide on the track. He said for these reasons he elected to allow SUCCESSFUL ERA to shift in across behind runners and obtain cover. He added that in the Straight SUCCESSFUL ERA closed the race off strongly. A veterinary inspection of SEVENS HEAVEN after the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of FOREST STAR after the race did not show any significant findings. A WALK IN THE PARK WHATAFANTASY and LUCKY WINNER were sent for sampling.