09/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 4

From the outside barrier, SOARING RIVER was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 150 Metres, CARS KING PRAWN and CHEERFUL CITY bumped due to both horses shifting ground. After making contact with CARS KING PRAWN, CHEERFUL CITY shifted out slightly, resulting in GOLD WINNER, which was racing to its outside, being steadied away from the heels of CHEERFUL CITY. MEDIC FORTUNE, which was following GOLD WINNER and which had been held up for clear running from the 300 Metres, was severely checked away from the heels of GOLD WINNER in consequence. Passing the 100 Metres, SOARING RIVER was momentarily crowded for room between STAR OF FAME and MAGIC SWEEP which shifted in slightly. Throughout the race, STAR OF FAME travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M W Leung (KEEN SOUL) stated that rounding the Home Turn he was held up for clear running behind CHEERFUL CITY and inside GOLD WINNER. He said he had hoped to obtain a run between those horses at the entrance to the Straight, however, sufficient room did not eventuate, therefore he was held up behind those horses. He said shortly after entering the Straight he looked to his inside with a view to establishing whether he was clear to shift to the inside of CHEERFUL CITY, however, at that time CARS KING PRAWN was improving into that position, therefore he was unable to shift to the inside of CHEERFUL CITY. He said KEEN SOUL was then held up for clear running until near the 100 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of NORTH HILL in the early stages, G Mossé stated that at its most recent start from barrier 4, the horse began well and took up a position slightly worse than midfield. He said when ridden in this manner the horse was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race as expected. He said tonight from barrier 3, he was instructed to take the horse back in the early stages so as to ensure that it was able to make its run down the outside. He said for this reason he allowed KA KA`S PROSPERITY to shift in front of NORTH HILL approaching the 1000 Metres. He added NORTH HILL had previously been successful when ridden in this manner. He said tonight he was able to shift NORTH HILL to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn and the horse finished off the race well. A veterinary inspection of MEDIC FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings. LOYAL ARMY and CARS KING PRAWN were sent for sampling.