18/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 9

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that HIGH POINT had lost its left front plate. This plate was refitted. HIGH POINT was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. TIME LEGEND began awkwardly and shifted out and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of FINN MACCOOL which shifted in after being bumped by SHINING VICTORY which itself shifted in after making contact with KING ENCOSTA. Near the 150 Metres, FINN MACCOOL raced in restricted room between HIGH POINT and SHINING VICTORY, both of which shifted some ground. Approaching the 100 Metres, DEFERENTIAL shifted in and bumped TAI SING YEH. Throughout the race, LOVE LOCKDOWN travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned regarding his riding of ABLE SPEED, which was having its first start at Happy Valley today, D Beadman stated that he had been advised to take ABLE SPEED across to the fence and obtain as forward a position as possible from the outside barrier and to ride the horse for luck in the Straight. He said accordingly shortly after the start he shifted ABLE SPEED across behind runners and near the 1100 Metres was positioned towards the outside of ISLAND SUPER. He said rather than allow his mount to improve to the outside of that horse, he elected to shift across behind ISLAND SUPER and obtain a position on the fence. He added after obtaining a position on the fence near the 900 Metres, he then allowed his mount to improve to be racing behind FINN MACCOOL near the 600 Metres. He said making the turn near the 600 Metres ABLE SPEED became unbalanced in its action, therefore he commenced to ride the horse along for some distance to have it travel on the bit and then shifted to the outside of FINN MACCOOL at the 400 Metres. He said at the top of the Straight he shifted out further and placed ABLE SPEED under pressure. He said when ridden in this manner, ABLE SPEED was able to finish off the race well. A veterinary inspection of LOVE LOCKDOWN after the race did not show any significant findings. TAI SING YEH and DEFERENTIAL were sent for sampling.