04/03/2020  Happy Valley  Race 2

CHEERFUL STAR shifted out at the start and bumped DIONYSUS COLLIN which in turn shifted out and brushed SANGRIA which on jumping was bumped by FORTUNE PATROL. From wide barriers, RULE THEE and FULL POWER were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain cover after the 1600 Metres, RULE THEE got its head up on a number of occasions and travelled keenly. Mr D J Hall, the trainer of SALTO OLIMPICO, stated that he anticipated that CALIFORNIA LEGEND and CURLING LUXURY would lead tonight’s race and that there would be good follow-up speed in the form of GALA NIGHT and DIONYSUS COLLIN. He said he felt that SALTO OLIMPICO would have to do too much work from a wide barrier in an attempt to obtain a forward position and would likely be left racing wide and without cover and therefore he instructed the rider of SALTO OLIMPICO to steady his mount in the early stages and obtain a trailing position. Near the 50 Metres, FULL POWER lay in towards the heels of PLAY WISE, resulting in FULL POWER having to be shifted out away from the heels of that horse. After the race, Z Purton was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of RULE THEE which failed to run on in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of RULE THEE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding his riding of CALIFORNIA LEGEND and in particular the fast tempo set on that horse between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres, G van Niekerk stated that he was instructed to lead if possible. He said after beginning well he had to ride his mount along in the early stages as GALA NIGHT improved its position to be racing to his outside and he did not want to be crossed by that horse. He said after being ridden along, CALIFORNIA LEGEND then commenced to travel keenly. He said approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to steady CALIFORNIA LEGEND in the lead, however, the horse continued to race freely and would not relax for him. He said he continued to attempt to steady the tempo on CALIFORNIA LEGEND for a considerable distance after the 1200 Metres and felt that if he had attempted to restrain the horse more heavily, it would have lost its action and therefore he attempted to try and have CALIFORNIA LEGEND as balanced as possible in the circumstances. He said as far out as the 800 Metres he was concerned with the manner in which CALIFORNIA LEGEND was travelling and CALIFORNIA LEGEND was a beaten horse rounding the Home Turn. He added having regard to the manner in which the horse raced tonight, he suggested to connections that they may wish to consider riding CALIFORNIA LEGEND with cover in its future starts so that it is able to relax better than it did in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GALA NIGHT and DIONYSUS COLLIN were sent for sampling.