08/09/2010  Happy Valley  Race 3

ALWAYS SOMETHING was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of SUPER BOY which shifted in. Passing the 1100 Metres, ROYAL FLUSH proved very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of ELITE SIXTY-SIX. Then near the 1000 Metres, ROYAL FLUSH shifted out, resulting in GOOD STRIKE being steadied away from the heels of that horse. ROYAL FLUSH then continued to prove difficult to settle and near the 900 Metres got its head up when being checked away from the heels of ELITE SIXTY-SIX. Inside the final 100 Metres, Apprentice M L Yeung (GOOD STRIKE) dropped his right rein. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed if NORMAN INVADER travelled well and he was able to obtain the lead without having to make use of the horse, he should do so, however, if another horse was intent on leading, he should allow that horse to cross and obtain the “box seat”. He said SUPER BOY, which had drawn outside NORMAN INVADER, began well and when he observed that horse was being ridden to lead, he allowed SUPER BOY to cross and obtained a position behind that horse. He said NORMAN INVADER travelled well until passing the 600 Metres at which time the tempo of the race steadied. He said when this occurred, NORMAN INVADER commenced to over-race and because of this, in his opinion, the horse was not able to close off the race as anticipated in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of NORMAN INVADER and ROYAL FLUSH after the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT GEAR and SUPER BOY were sent for sampling.