23/01/2008  Happy Valley  Race 6

SPEEDY began awkwardly, then shortly afterwards lost further ground when being steadied away from the heels of DURABLE. RED WINE HONEY was slow to begin. Making the Home Turn, HAPPY HEROES was steadied when improving into a narrow run between RED WINE HONEY and MASTER DREAMER which at this time was being steadied when close to the heels of JOYFUL WORLD. On straightening, SIXTY SECONDS was checked away from the heels of CARE FREE MIDAS which commenced to give ground. RED WINE HONEY, which was racing to the inside of SIXTY SECONDS, was crowded for room, made the Home Turn awkwardly and became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of SIXTY SECONDS. WAIT FOR ME was in turn checked and shifted in away from the heels of RED WINE HONEY. Close to the winning post, RED WINE HONEY was steadied away from the heels of SIXTY SECONDS. Because of this, RED WINE HONEY was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Just prior to the winning post, CONNOISSEUR'S LOVE was checked when awkwardly placed between BLISS STAR and HAPPY HEROES which at this time improved into tight running on the inside of SPEEDY which shifted in slightly. As HAPPY HEROES was improving to the inside of SPEEDY, it was struck over the nose by the whip of G Boss (SPEEDY). In the circumstances, no action was taken. Throughout the race, JOYFUL WORLD travelled wide and without cover. O Doleuze (DURABLE) explained he had been instructed to ensure he found the fence on his mount. He said it was not anticipated DURABLE would have sufficient speed to lead tonight, therefore he did not ride along in the early stages in the hope an opening would present itself to enable him to shift to the rail. He said WAIT FOR ME which had drawn to his inside was not ridden along in the early stages and came back to race in a rearward position. He said to ensure he travelled on the rail he was required to come back and shift across behind that horse further back than anticipated at the rear. He said DURABLE travelled comfortably, however, after entering the Back Straight he was concerned WAIT FOR ME was racing some distance off the runners in front of it, therefore he felt it was in his best interest to move away from the rail and shift to the outside of that horse. He said as he did this WAIT FOR ME commenced to improve its position on his inside. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres he commenced to ride DURABLE along and prior to straightening shifted his mount to the outside where he commenced to ride out fully. He said DURABLE responded well to his riding, however, in his opinion the horse’s run finished short of the line. Mr C Fownes, trainer of DURABLE, confirmed the riding instructions issued and said it was his belief that tonight’s track strongly favoured horses on the rail. He did say DURABLE travelled further back than he had anticipated, however, he accepted this was due to WAIT FOR ME coming back underneath DURABLE in the early stages. He said in the circumstances he was satisfied with the riding of O Doleuze. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MASTER DREAMER, P H Lo said he had hoped to find the fence behind the leader, however, he was held in a two wide position. He said MASTER DREAMER travelled satisfactorily, however, in the Straight did not respond to his riding and was most disappointing. The performance of MASTER DREAMER, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, MASTER DREAMER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A Delpech (CARE FREE MIDAS) explained near the 900 Metres his horse got its head on the side and commenced to hang in. He said after this CARE FREE MIDAS did not travel as it usually does and in the Straight gave ground. He said he felt that something might be amiss with CARE FREE MIDAS behind. CARE FREE MIDAS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CARE FREE MIDAS after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, CARE FREE MIDAS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BLISS STAR, WAIT FOR ME and SPEEDY were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported SIXTY SECONDS had sustained an abrasion to the right hind leg as a result of being galloped on.