11/06/2008  Happy Valley  Race 4

CHATER DE LAGO was difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, CHATER DE LAGO will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. BOBO WIN was slow to begin and then failed to muster speed despite being ridden along. AMAZING ME bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. Shortly after the start, VINTAGE GOLD lost its position when crowded for room between MULTO EXPRESSO and CHATER DE LAGO which after initially being carried in by FORTUNE DRAGON shifted in further away from that horse. Making the first turn, FORTUNE DRAGON was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of KING OF FISH. After the 1300 Metres, MULTO EXPRESSO was steadied when momentarily crowded for room inside CHATER DE LAGO. Making the turn near the 600 Metres, CLASSA WIN hung in. Shortly after straightening, DR WELL was bumped by CLASSA WIN which was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of VINTAGE GOLD which was carried wider by KING OF FISH which shifted out momentarily. No action was taken. After the 100 Metres, CHATER DE LAGO got its head on the side and shifted wider. As a result, MULTO EXPRESSO was carried wider. Throughout the race, DR WELL travelled wide and without cover. G Boss (CHATER DE LAGO) explained the riding instructions he was issued for the horse tonight were the same as when he rode it at its most recent start. He was asked to have the horse in front of midfield if possible. He said when he rode CHATER DE LAGO at its last start, the horse began badly as it has in the past and as a consequence got well back. He said tonight he asked a gate attendant to assist him by holding the tail of CHATER DE LAGO after the horse was boxed to prevent it from sitting back and rearing. He said as a result of this assistance CHATER DE LAGO began well tonight and was able to travel in a forward position. When questioned, D Whyte (KING OF FISH) explained he had to make use of his mount in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said after this KING OF FISH travelled only fairly, appeared unbalanced in its action and then in the Straight gave ground. He said KING OF FISH is a horse known to have an awkward galloping action, however, he noted after the race that the horse had lost its right front plate. He said in his opinion because of this the horse’s action was more awkward than normal tonight. Mr K L Man, trainer of KING OF FISH, said about 10 days following the horse’s last start KING OF FISH developed slight soreness in the left front foot which in his opinion was not significant. He said as KING OF FISH is an old horse which had had 10 starts this season, he believed it was in the best interest of the horse to give it a slight freshen to allow it to overcome this foot soreness. He said because of this KING OF FISH did not appear at track work for 7 days. He said after this KING OF FISH resumed work, was fit going into tonight’s race and was expected to perform well. He said in his opinion tonight’s poor performance was most likely as a result of the horse having lost a plate given its poor galloping action. KING OF FISH was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, KING OF FISH was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said there were no significant findings other than confirming the horse had lost its right front plate. THUNDER VALLEY, CHATER DE LAGO and VINTAGE GOLD were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported FORTUNE DRAGON had lost its right front plate.