05/10/2016  Happy Valley  Race 7

As the start was effected, MR POTENTIAL lifted its front feet off the ground, began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between SUPER FLUKE which began awkwardly and KINGSFIELD which shifted out. When being steadied from the outside barrier in order to be shifted across behind runners, THE SYLPH got its head up and became awkward. Shortly after the start, VARA PEARL was bumped by RED MARVEL which raced tight inside TEN FLAMES. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, RED MARVEL failed to muster speed. FULL GLORY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 400 Metres, MR POTENTIAL and VARA PEARL raced tight as MR POTENTIAL attempted to shift out. MR POTENTIAL then became unbalanced rounding the Home Turn. Close to the finishing line, VARA PEARL was crowded for room inside THE SYLPH (H W Lai) which shifted in under pressure. H W Lai was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care than he did on this occasion. When questioned, C Schofield (VARA PEARL) stated that approaching the 1300 Metres he rode his mount along in an attempt to improve his position and prevent TEN FLAMES from shifting in front of his mount. He said VARA PEARL did not respond at this time and he felt that he would have had to ride the horse along for some distance to prevent TEN FLAMES from crossing which would not be in the best interests of his mount. He said therefore he elected to have VARA PEARL racing where it was comfortable and then he was able to follow TEN FLAMES after that horse crossed VARA PEARL near the 1000 Metres. When questioned regarding the performance of KINGSFIELD, J Moreira stated that he had been asked to ride the horse behind the leaders if possible. He said after obtaining a trailing position behind OUTLAWED in the early stages, KINGSFIELD travelled keenly for a short distance after the 1100 Metres, but leaving the 1000 Metres settled well. He said KINGSFIELD travelled strongly in the middle stages and after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn, the horse initially responded well to his riding. He said however that KINGSFIELD came under pressure prior to the 200 Metres and then was disappointing in its failure to close off over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of KINGSFIELD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OUTLAWED and MR POTENTIAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KINGSFIELD, TEN FLAMES and THE SYLPH were sent for sampling.