16/01/2008  Happy Valley  Race 8

On arrival at Happy Valley, AWARD was found to have filling on its right hind fetlock. AWARD was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MELLIFLUOUS shifted out at the start and bumped PRIME TARGET. Shortly after the start, MELLIFLUOUS and PRIME TARGET were crowded for room between ELECTRONICS SPUR and JUBILOSO, both of which shifted ground. When ELECTRONICS SPUR was shifted out to relieve the tightening to PRIME TARGET, some inconvenience was caused to CHATER SILK. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, QUALITY-QUALITY got its head on the side when being steadied away from the heels of SEA TREASURE which at this time raced tight inside SUNBELL. SOUNDS FANTASTIC proved difficult to settle in the early and middle stages. Passing the 700 Metres, SEA TREASURE and ELECTRONICS SPUR came together on a number of occasions as SEA TREASURE attempted to shift to the outside of SOLAR POWER. Approaching the 200 Metres, ELECTRONICS SPUR was inconvenienced and shifted wider by SEA TREASURE which at this time was shifted to the outside of SOLAR POWER into clear running. QUALITY-QUALITY, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Passing the 200 Metres, JUBILOSO was steadied and shifted to the outside of LOCAL POWER when that horse shifted in. Near the 50 Metres, CHATER SILK (D Whyte) shifted in and raced tight with PRIME TARGET, resulting in D Whyte having to stop riding and straighten his mount. In this incident, some inconvenience was caused to PRIME TARGET. For the majority of the race, ELECTRONICS SPUR travelled wide and without cover. B Prebble (MELLIFLUOUS) said in his opinion the horse did not see out the distance of tonight’s race at its first time of asking. MELLIFLUOUS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MELLIFLUOUS after the race did not show any significant findings. LOCAL POWER and CHATER SILK were sent for sampling.