17/04/2013  Happy Valley  Race 4

STARLIT WARRIOR began awkwardly and shortly after the start lost ground when crowded for room between SUPER BRAND and KING GALILEO (W M Lai) which shifted out. W M Lai was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. MOUNT VICTORY and MOBILE KING bumped at the start. Then shortly after the start, MOBILE KING was crowded for room by EAST OCEAN which shifted out. After this, MOUNT VICTORY, MOBILE KING and EVER INVINCIBLE were all taken across behind runners from wide barriers. Near the 1600 Metres, HUMONGUS momentarily raced in restricted room between KING GALILEO and EAST OCEAN which shifted in. EAST OCEAN travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres at which time it was able to shift in to race outside the leader, SUPER BRAND. After the 850 Metres, BULLISH POWER got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped EAST OCEAN. Approaching the 100 Metres, MOBILE KING shifted in under pressure. Over the concluding stages, MOUNT VICTORY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EAST OCEAN. When questioned, M Chadwick (BULLISH POWER) stated that when EAST OCEAN commenced to improve its position forward of BULLISH POWER near the 700 Metres, he attempted to maintain his position to the inside of that horse to prevent EAST OCEAN from crossing his mount. He said at this time the tempo of the race increased and as BULLISH POWER was not travelling strongly, he was unable to prevent EAST OCEAN from shifting in in front of BULLISH POWER. He said after this BULLISH POWER, when ridden along, finished off the race only one-paced. When questioned regarding the improved performance of MOBILE KING, Mr C Fownes, the trainer of the horse, stated that its win could principally be attributed to the “Good to Yielding” track conditions and the drop in grade to Class 5. He said in addition, MOBILE KING’s final gallop in the lead up to tonight’s race was, in his opinion, very good and based on these factors he believed that MOBILE KING would race well. A veterinary inspection of BEST NOODLE and KING GALILEO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BULLISH POWER, MOBILE KING and SUPER BRAND were sent for sampling.