17/10/2007  Happy Valley  Race 4

GALLANT FALCON and ROMANTIC GREEN were slow to begin. Making the first turn, GALLANT FALCON became unbalanced when crowded for room inside SOLAR (Z Purton) which when endeavouring to obtain a position with cover behind ROMANTIC GREEN became awkwardly placed and shifted in when that horse steadied to obtain a position behind THAT'S IT. After this crowding, SOLAR was shifted out abruptly to relieve the pressure it was applying to GALLANT FALCON. In the circumstances, Z Purton was severely reprimanded and told he would be expected to exercise greater care when shifting ground. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, SUPREME GOLD was bumped by SOLAR. Near the 500 Metres, MASTER DREAMER bumped the running rail and became badly unbalanced when tightened for room inside SUPREME GOLD which got its head on the side and shifted in away from SOLAR when racing tight inside that horse. In the circumstances, no action was taken. In this incident, some inconvenience was caused to PERSEVERANCE and CAPABILITY. At the 250 Metres, SUPREME GOLD was steadied away from the heels of LIVERBIRD after being carried in by SOLAR. Near the 200 Metres, MASTER DREAMER was steadied and shifted out when disappointed for running inside ABLE KNIGHT. Close to the line, CAPABILITY, which was closing the race off fairly, was steadied when improving close to the heels of SUPREME GOLD. Because of this, CAPABILITY was not ridden out right to the end of the race as it normally would be. For the major part of the race, SOLAR travelled wide and without cover. S K Sit (LIVERBIRD) explained tonight because of the anticipated lack of speed in the race, he had been instructed to go forward in the early stages, endeavour to cross to the rail and then steady his mount to allow it to obtain cover. He said in accordance with those instructions, he rode forward in the early stages, however, when ABLE KNIGHT held the fence to his inside, he was not able to cross to the rail. When questioned regarding PILLOW KING being ridden in a rearward position, Mr A Schutz, trainer of the horse, said when the horse has recently travelled without cover, it has over-raced and consequently failed to close its races off. He said therefore tonight from the outside barrier it was felt should PILLOW KING be ridden forward as has been the case recently, it would again be left racing without cover which would be detrimental to its chances. He said he had instructed M Nunes, the rider of the horse, to take PILLOW KING across behind runners to ensure that it obtained a position with cover. He did say in future should PILLOW KING draw more favourably where it is likely to obtain cover, it will be ridden in a more forward position. TRIUMPH and PERSEVERANCE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PERSEVERANCE had lost its right front plate. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported ROMANTIC GREEN had sustained a cut to the right front tendon area. Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC GREEN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.