11/11/2015  Happy Valley  Race 7

CALIFORNIA BOUNTY was withdrawn on 10.11.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore right front tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY BAO BEI (K C Ng). Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA BOUNTY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KINGSFIELD began only fairly. MASSIVE MILLENNIUM began only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded for room inside COUNTRY MELODY which shifted in. Shortly after the start, TURF SPRINT shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CAGA FORCE which became unbalanced. From a wide barrier, VICTORIUS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM lost ground after getting its head on the side and shifting out across the heels of SUPREME FALCON. Also at the same point, TURF SPRINT shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ALL GREAT FRIENDS. Approaching the 400 Metres, PERPETUAL TREASURE became unbalanced when awkwardly placed behind CAGA FORCE. Rounding the Home Turn, SUPREME FALCON became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of COUNTRY MELODY. Near the 150 Metres, ALL GREAT FRIENDS shifted in, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten. Near the 50 Metres, PERPETUAL TREASURE raced tight inside CAGA FORCE which got its head on the side and lay in. Over the concluding stages, SUPREME FALCON lay in under pressure. For the majority of the race, ALL GREAT FRIENDS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of IMPERIAL CHAMPION, B Prebble stated that after being able to obtain a forward position without having to be made use of, IMPERIAL CHAMPION travelled strongly in the early and middle stages. He said he placed IMPERIAL CHAMPION under pressure at the entrance to the Straight, however, the horse did not quicken as well as he thought it would. He said IMPERIAL CHAMPION initially commenced to finish off the race fairly, however, over the latter stages of the race was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened. He added he had ridden the horse in track work in the lead up to tonight's race and in one piece of work on the 1800 Metre gallop it travelled very strongly. He said he was not able to offer an opinion as to whether this may have affected the horse's performance tonight. A veterinary inspection of IMPERIAL CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. IMPERIAL CHAMPION, COUNTRY MELODY and BRILLIANT PROPOSAL were sent for sampling.