09/02/2011  Happy Valley  Race 7

ROYAL PUMPKIN, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly. Approaching the 1200 Metres, HIGH COMMAND shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of KING OF HEARTS. After the 1200 Metres, ROYAL PUMPKIN got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 100 Metres, FLUKE was shifted out to obtain clear running. When questioned, M W Leung (ROYAL PUMPKIN) said that he had been instructed to maintain a position one horse away from the fence during the race if he was able. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to maintain a position one horse off the fence behind HIGH COMMAND, however, he was obliged to shift in to race on the fence when bumped by LEGEND EXPRESS which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HIGH COMMAND. He added he was then not able to shift away from the fence as ROYAL PUMPKIN had improved its position to be racing inside the heels of KING OF HEARTS. He said approaching the 400 Metres he was racing on the fence behind MY GOAL, he elected at this time to shift ROYAL PUMPKIN away from the fence in order to ride to his instructions and he also felt that it would be better to follow KING OF HEARTS at this time rather than racing on the back of MY GOAL which he anticipated would weaken. He added that when he shifted ROYAL PUMPKIN out, the horse became awkwardly placed close to the heels of KING OF HEARTS which also was shifted to the outside of the heels of MY MATE ADRIC. He said when he was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KING OF HEARTS, SOARING RIVER improved its position to be racing to his inside and for this reason he was not able to shift back to the inside of KING OF HEARTS. He added this resulted in ROYAL PUMPKIN being held up for clear running behind KING OF HEARTS until near the 250 Metres. MY MATE ADRIC and LEGEND EXPRESS were sent for sampling.