26/01/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

As the start was effected, CHEER lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. Passing the 1600 Metres, IRON FIST and FUN RIDER raced in restricted room between FORTUNE RED PEPPER and DEPOSER which shifted out. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, FUN RIDER and CHEER bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 1000 Metres, FUN RIDER lost ground after being checked away from the heels of CHEER. MARK UP was not able to obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, HAPPY TUMBLER and ABSOLUTE HEDGE were hampered when FUN RIDER improved into a tight run to the inside of FORTUNE RED PEPPER which at this time got its head on the side and shifted in slightly. Throughout the race, QUICK TOUCH travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to ride ABLE SPEED in a position forward of midfield if possible. He said in the early stages ABLE SPEED hung in away from ABSOLUTE HEDGE. He said he was reluctant to ride his mount forward at this time as ABSOLUTE HEDGE is a horse that is known to him to go forward in its races and he felt that had he have ridden ABLE SPEED to improve with ABSOLUTE HEDGE, ABLE SPEED would be left racing in a more forward position than had been intended. He added that passing the winning post on the first occasion he elected to steady ABLE SPEED and attempt to obtain a position to the inside of FORTUNE RED PEPPER which was racing to his immediate inside. He added that as he attempted to do this, IRON FIST improved its position to be racing to the inside of ABLE SPEED. He said however that he elected to remain racing outside that horse and allowed GREAT ACHIEVEMENT to cross from his outside so as to provide him with cover. A veterinary inspection of ABSOLUTE HEDGE after the race did not show any significant findings. CHEER, STRAIGHT FORWARD and ABLE SPEED were sent for sampling.