17/11/2010  Happy Valley  Race 4

HEALTHY BLUEBERRY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped WONDERFUL GAINS. From a wide barrier, SABINA was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, PRIVATE ROAD shifted in and bumped BEST NOODLE. Passing the 1300 Metres, SABINA was steadied away from the heels of HOW WONDERFUL. When questioned, J Lloyd (FERRABOSCO) stated that the intention had been to lead on the horse if possible. He said in the early stages he allowed his mount to stride along in an endeavour to take up a forward position, however, a number of horses to his inside were also ridden into prominent positions. He said for this reason passing the winning post on the first occasion whilst racing wide, he continued into a forward position in the hope that the pace of the race would slacken and he would be able to obtain a leading position without having to make too much use of FERRABOSCO. He said passing the 1300 Metres the tempo steadied, he rode FERRABOSCO along including slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip and whilst it did improve its position marginally, it did not show sufficient pace to be able to clear REDOUTE’S FORTUNE to his inside to take up a position closer to the fence. He said for this reason FERRABOSCO was left racing three wide and without cover throughout the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of REDOUTE’S FORTUNE, Z Purton stated that he attempted to steady his mount approaching the winning post on the first occasion in an endeavour to obtain cover behind PAPER WINS, however, due to the tempo of the race and the fact that PAPER WINS itself was being steadied, he was not able to obtain cover behind that horse and was left racing three wide until passing the 1200 Metres. He said after the 1200 Metres he was able to shift REDOUTE’S FORTUNE across to race outside the leader, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY, however, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE raced too fiercely and would not relax. He said REDOUTE’S FORTUNE continued to over-race and because of this it was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of REDOUTE’S FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings. INDUSTRIAL HERO, WONDERFUL GAINS and SABINA were sent for sampling.