22/06/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

WINNING ARCH was slow to begin. CREATIVE UNION and JUN DAO were badly checked on jumping when crowded for room between LOVING ALL which shifted in and DIAMOND ANGEL which shifted out abruptly. RIDE ON THE FIRE began awkwardly and then shortly after the start raced tight between ETERNAL BEAUTY and MILLION DARLING. From a wide barrier, WINSOME was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. For some distance approaching the first turn and then making the first turn, RIDE ON THE FIRE raced tight between TIME AFTER TIME and MILLION DARLING which shifted out. After the 600 Metres, WINNING ARCH was steadied when momentarily crowded for room inside INVINCIBLEKINDNESS. Shortly after entering into the Straight, RIDE ON THE FIRE was shifted in away from the heels of MILLION DARLING. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had not been given any specific instructions on how to ride TIME AFTER TIME. He said he rode his mount positively in the early stages and had hoped that ETERNAL BEAUTY would improve its position inside TIME AFTER TIME which would allow him the opportunity to obtain a position behind that horse. He said however that ETERNAL BEAUTY maintained its position to his inside and as TIME AFTER TIME had previously raced ungenerously when being restrained, he allowed his mount to improve forward of ETERNAL BEAUTY. He said at this time he noticed that RIDE ON THE FIRE was not being ridden along in the early stags, therefore he made the decision to ride TIME AFTER TIME along in the hope that he would be able to obtain a position outside of the leader, MILLION DARLING. He added as he did this, RIDE ON THE FIRE maintained its position outside MILLION DARLING and this resulted in TIME AFTER TIME being left racing three wide and without cover. After the race, H W Lai reported that OUR PEGASUS did not handle tonight’s track conditions. ETERNAL BEAUTY and MILLION DARLING were sent for sampling.