13/01/2010  Happy Valley  Race 8

SOLDIER began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, CLEMENT ELITE was steadied away from the heels of MASCOT FORTUNE. Near the 1300 Metres, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was steadied when crowded for room inside OCEAN PRINCE (A Suborics) which shifted in. A Suborics was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for his fellow riders in future. For some distance passing the 1300 Metres, SAPELLI proved difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of MASCOT FORTUNE. SAPELLI then continued to prove difficult to settle for some distance after this. Near the 1000 Metres, SOLDIER was checked away from the heels of VILASOL. Near the 300 Metres, SOLDIER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of OCEAN PRINCE when disappointed for running to the outside of that horse and inside BEAUTIFUL CHOICE. Then passing the 200 Metres, SOLIDER was checked when disappointed for running between GO LUCKY GO and OCEAN PRINCE. After this, SOLDIER was not able to obtain clear running until after passing the 100 Metres. Near the 150 Metres, CONGRATS was checked and shifted in when disappointed for running between LHOJONG and GO LUCKY GO. Over the concluding stages, LHOJONG raced close to the heels of CHAMPION LAD and as a consequence was not ridden out to the end of the race. Also over the concluding stages, OCEAN PRINCE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CLEMENT ELITE which shifted in under pressure. Because of this, OCEAN PRINCE was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Throughout the race, OCEAN PRINCE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, W Pike stated that he had been instructed to have BEAUTIFUL CHOICE behind the leaders if possible, however, if nothing else wanted to lead, it would be acceptable for him to take up the running. He said BEAUTIFUL CHOICE began fairly, he rode the horse along for a number of strides shortly after the start to take up a forward position as instructed, however, he noticed that a number of runners to his inside, most notably MASCOT FORTUNE and LHOJONG, were being aggressively ridden to obtain forward positions. He said having in mind the manner in which those horses were being ridden in the early stages, he formed the view that he would have had to make considerable use of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE to take up a forward position as instructed, therefore he elected to shift across behind those horses and obtained a position with cover. He said in order to do so, he did not restrain BEAUTIFUL CHOICE. He said after obtaining a position with cover behind OCEAN PRINCE after passing the winning post on the first occasion, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE travelled satisfactorily albeit in a position further back than had been anticipated. He said when placed under pressure BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was disappointing in that it failed to respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of GO LUCKY GO and SOLDIER after the race did not show any significant findings. SAPELLI, GREEN JACKET and CLEMENT ELITE were sent for sampling.