09/02/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

Whilst in the Parade Ring, FAMILISTS lost its left hind plate. On arrival at the Start, this plate was refitted. FAMILISTS and KILDARE were slow to begin. From the outside barrier, POCKET ROCKETS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 700 Metres, KILDARE proved difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of CHEVALIER KING. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had not been under any specific instructions on how to ride CHEVALIER KING other than it was hoped that the horse would be able to obtain cover. He said that from barrier 10 and with a number of speed horses being drawn more favourably, he had hoped to obtain a position in midfield or slightly in front of midfield. He said he did not want to ride CHEVALIER KING along in the early stages as he felt that the horse would have been wide making the first turn which would have been detrimental to its chances. He said that whilst CHEVALIER KING led and won at its most recent start, the horse was able to dictate the tempo of the race from barrier 4 on that occasion and he was able to get a largely uncontested lead. He added that he is of the view, as is the horse`s trainer, Mr J Moore, that CHEVALIER KING races best when able to obtain cover. He said CHEVALIER KING began well and he formed the view early in the race that to take up a forward position would have meant making considerable use of CHEVALIER KING in the early stages and that it would be unlikely that he would be able to obtain cover on CHEVALIER KING. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was much stronger tonight than it was at CHEVALIER KING`s most recent start and this allowed him to position CHEVALIER KING one horse off the fence with cover behind CHATER MIKADO in about a midfield position. He added that after rounding the first turn CHEVALIER KING proved very difficult to settle and raced fiercely and for this reason he was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHATER MIKADO. He said that rounding the Home Turn he immediately shifted CHEVALIER KING to the outside of runners, the horse initially sprinted well, however, in his opinion, finished off the race only fairly over the concluding stages. Mr Moore confirmed that he had not given any specific instructions to Jockey Beadman on how CHEVALIER KING should be ridden tonight due to the horse`s wide barrier. He said he anticipated that the race would be run at a fast tempo and he expected that the horse, in order to obtain cover, would be positioned in about midfield. He added that CHEVALIER KING had raced well in the past when ridden off the speed and he felt that to make use of CHEVALIER KING to go forward in the early stages would have been resulted in the horse being unable to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of POCKET ROCKETS after the race did not show any significant findings. TURBO KING and ROMANTIC CITY were sent for sampling. <10/2/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>POCKET ROCKETS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. POCKET ROCKETS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer J Size this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front foot. Before being allowed to race again, POCKET ROCKETS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.