20/01/2010  Happy Valley  Race 3

SUPER PEPPER was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, RED RULER was steadied when crowded for room between MASTER RIO and FORTUNE SPIRIT which began awkwardly and shifted out. After this, RED RULER was taken across behind runners. Rounding the first turn, THE RIFLE, when proving difficult to settle, shifted out and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of MASTER RIO, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced. As a result of this incident, MASTER RIO shifted wider. FUN, which was racing to the outside of MASTER RIO, was taken wider as a consequence. After this, THE RIFLE proved very difficult to settle and on a number of occasions approaching and passing the 800 Metres was checked away from the heels of MASTER RIO. In the early part of the Straight, THE RIFLE got its head on the side and hung in. When questioned, G Mossé (RED RULER) stated that although an opportunity presented itself passing the 800 Metres to improve to be racing inside FAST GO, he observed that that horse was awkwardly placed close to the heels of THE RIFLE which was proving very difficult to settle. He stated he felt that had he ridden RED RULER to consolidate the position inside FAST GO, he believed FAST GO would shift in as it was apparent to him that that horse had its head on the side at this time, giving him the impression that it was inclined to lay in. He said for this reason he chose not to advance into the position inside FAST GO but rather to remain racing behind and to the inside of that horse which would have allowed him the opportunity to track FAST GO throughout the remainder of the race. He said he placed RED RULER under pressure at the entrance to the Straight, however, the horse finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of MASTER RIO, SUPER PEPPER and THE RIFLE after the race did not show any significant findings. FAST GO and KEEN SOUL were sent for sampling.