28/11/2007  Happy Valley  Race 3

BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was withdrawn on 27.11.07 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SAMMY’S FORTUNE. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRIDEOFTHEORIENT began awkwardly, made heavy contact with the outside of its stall and as a consequence lost ground. SUPER FANTASY was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, CLOVIS lost ground when crowded for room between CLASSIC KING and DURABLE which on jumping stumbled, then shifted out. From wide barriers, SAMMY’S FORTUNE and SUNNY DESERT were taken across behind runners. For a considerable distance after passing the winning post on the first occasion, PRIDEOFTHEORIENT, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of KING OF FISH. After the 200 Metres, SUPER FANTASY, which was closing the race off strongly, was checked when unable to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the poor performance of PRIDEOFTHEORIENT, M Nunes said the intention had been to ride the horse slightly further forward tonight from a more favourable barrier. He said after PRIDEOFTHEORIENT began badly, he rode along in an endeavour to carry out his instructions, because of this PRIDEOFTHEORIENT over-raced and would not settle in the manner in which it did when it was successful last start. He said as a consequence of this PRIDEOFTHEORIENT failed to close the race off as it did in its recent start. Mr S Woods, trainer of PRIDEOFTHEORIENT, said the intention was for the horse to obtain a position three back on the rail which it was felt would have it following KING OF FISH. He said he did not believe the way tonight’s race was run suited PRIDEOFTHEORIENT. He said in the Straight PRIDEOFTHEORIENT hung in and he was disappointed with the performance of the horse which was fancied by the stable on the strength of its recent track work. He did say PRIDEOFTHEORIENT was racing up in class tonight. PRIDEOFTHEORIENT was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of PRIDEOFTHEORIENT after the race did not show any significant findings. S Dye (SIMPLY JOY) said approaching the first turn he thought an opportunity was going to present itself for him to obtain a position behind DURABLE, however, CLOVIS held its position to the inside of the heels of SIMPLY JOY. He said because of this he travelled in a three wide position without cover. He said shortly after entering the Home Straight SIMPLY JOY changed stride and became unbalanced. He said when this occurred, the horse appeared to shorten stride. He said after this he felt he would be required to make use of SIMPLY JOY to improve his position in an attempt to across into the lead and in his opinion if he did this, SIMPLY JOY would not be strong at the finish. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres SIMPLY JOY came under pressure, failed to respond to his riding and commenced to give ground. He said in the Straight SIMPLY JOY was not striding out as he thought it should. SIMPLY JOY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SIMPLY JOY after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SIMPLY JOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DURABLE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of DURABLE after the race did not show any significant findings. CLOVIS and WAIT FOR ME were sent for sampling.