17/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 1

THAT’S IT began awkwardly. BERNINI was slow to begin. GREAT SHOW was tightened for room shortly after the start between GLITTERING and SUPER GALILEO which got its head on the side and shifted out. Approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, GLITTERING got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied away from the heels of GOLDEN BOY. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, HEALTHY CONTENDER raced in restricted room between SUPER GALILEO and INCREDIBLE EAGLE. Passing the 800 Metres, GREAT SHOW raced in restricted room inside SUPER GALILEO after improving its position inside that horse where there was tight running. For the majority of the race, INCREDIBLE EAGLE travelled wide and without cover. In the Straight, RAY’S FAVOURITE hung in and near the 150 Metres shifted in and bumped SUPER GALILEO. When questioned, B Doyle stated that he had been instructed to find cover on THAT’S IT as the horse was racing over the 1650 Metres. He said with the blinkers reapplied today, THAT’S IT began well, proved difficult to settle and for these reasons he was not able to obtain cover on THAT’S IT. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he was racing in a position outside GOLDEN BOY and despite his efforts to restrain THAT’S IT, the horse proved too strong and would not relax. He added rather than have THAT’S IT continuing racing in this manner, he elected to allow the horse to stride forward of GOLDEN BOY in the hope that it would be more settled once obtaining the outright lead on the fence which he was able to obtain near the 1000 Metres. He said after this THAT’S IT continued to prove difficult to settle for a short distance, however, it relaxed after the 900 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CLASSA, Apprentice C Y Ho said that the horse travelled back in the field today as is usual. He said when he has ridden the horse previously, it has responded well to his riding prior to and rounding the Home Turn, however, today when placed under pressure it did not show any turn of foot and was most disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BEAUTIFUL CHOICE, Z Purton stated that he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to cross runners to his inside but was able to obtain a good position passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said after this BEAUTIFUL CHOICE travelled satisfactorily until near the 600 Metres when INCREDIBLE EAGLE improved to his outside. He said after this BEAUTIFUL CHOICE came off the bridle and despite being ridden along weakened out of the race. A veterinary inspection of CLASSA and BEAUTIFUL CHOICE after the race did not show any significant findings. GREAT SHOW and INCREDIBLE EAGLE were sent for sampling.