28/12/2012  Happy Valley  Race 8

CHINA POWER began awkwardly and shortly after the start became unbalanced when crowded for room between TURBO KING and GOOD WORDS, both of which shifted ground. From wide barriers, BEST WIN, CHARITY SPIRIT and HANDSOME HANDSOME were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1100 Metres, STERLING CITY raced tight inside CHARITY SPIRIT which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of IMPERIAL ROME. Approaching the 600 Metres, CHARITY SPIRIT got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TURBO KING. Over about the final 100 Metres, NEW GLORY was not able to obtain clear running inside GOOD WORDS and over the concluding stages had to be checked away from the heels of that horse when unable to improve. Because of this, NEW GLORY was not able to be tested. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of STERLING CITY, A Suborics stated that, from barrier 9, he had been asked to take STERLING CITY across behind runners in the early stages and obtain a position close to the rail. He said after racing tight inside CHARITY SPIRIT near the 1100 Metres, STERLING CITY was then reluctant to hold its position inside that horse. He said he had to ride STERLING CITY along in the middle stages to maintain its position inside CHARITY SPIRIT as the horse, which was having its first start at Happy Valley tonight, was reluctant to stretch out when racing inside that horse. He added that STERLING CITY came under pressure after the 600 Metres and then when ridden out in the Straight did not respond to his riding and, in his opinion, was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of STERLING CITY after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, T Clark stated that he had been asked to ride DIAMOND ELEGANCE in about a midfield position if possible as the horse had previously finished off its races strongly when ridden in about this position. He said DIAMOND ELEGANCE travelled strongly in the early and middle stages and making the turn after the 600 Metres commenced to come under pressure. He said at this time DIAMOND ELEGANCE got its head on the side and hung out and for this reason he was unable to prevent SIMPLE from shifting out to his inside. He said DIAMOND ELEGANCE continued to hang out rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He said DIAMOND ELEGANCE then weakened out of the race noticeably over the concluding stages. He added that after the race he recommended to connections that they consider dropping the horse back in distance to 1000 Metres as it had performed best of late over that distance where the horse appears to be suited by the stronger tempo of races over this distance which then allows it the opportunity to close off the race. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND ELEGANCE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DIAMOND ELEGANCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CHARITY SPIRIT had lost its left front plate. IMPERIAL ROME and SIMPLE were sent for sampling.