01/06/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

BET ON ME was withdrawn on 31.5.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetance) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SHOWTIME (M Du Plessis). Before being allowed to race again, BET ON ME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, Apprentice M L Yeung expressed concern regarding MY TIME’s action behind. MY TIME was examined by the Veterinary Officer and after the necessary consultations said in his opinion it was suitable to race. SMART FORTUNE (G Cheyne) began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between TEAM WORK and MI REILLY which shifted out. G Cheyne stated that in this incident, the bit pulled through the mouth of SMART FORTUNE, placing him at a significant disadvantage for the remainder of the event. From the outside barrier, SHOWTIME was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early stages, MY TIME got its head on the side and hung in. Approaching the 1100 Metres, INVINCIBLEKINDNESS was steadied when crowded for room between PERFECT FIT and NEW GLORY which shifted out slightly. Making the first turn after the 1100 Metres, SMART FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of TEAM WORK. MY TIME got its head on the side and hung out rounding the Home Turn. Throughout the race, SUPER PLUS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TIME AFTER TIME, D Beadman stated that it had been intended to ride TIME AFTER TIME in about a midfield position similar to when the horse was successful two starts ago. He said shortly after the start TIME AFTER TIME received a bump from PERFECT FIT and after this got its head up on a number of occasions and proved very difficult to settle. He said TIME AFTER TIME again got its head up when being shifted across behind PERFECT FIT to obtain cover near the 1000 Metres. He added after this TIME AFTER TIME continued to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions, most notably near the 700 Metres and again near the 400 Metres. He said because of the manner in which TIME AFTER TIME travelled in the early and middle stages, the horse was then not able to finish off the race in the Straight. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NEW GLORY had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of TIME AFTER TIME, SMART FORTUNE and TEAM WORK after the race did not show any significant findings. TIME AFTER TIME, MANY GAINS and SUPER PLUS were sent for sampling.