17/09/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

CRUSH ON YOU was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, BRILLIANT FLASH, which was slow to begin, lost its position when crowded for room between CRUSH ON YOU which shifted out and PERFECT MATCH which had been a little slow to begin and was then carried in by KINGSTON WINNER. CRUSH ON YOU made the turn near the 1000 Metres awkwardly. After entering the Back Straight, KING OF SHAVER, which was proving difficult to settle, momentarily shifted to a three wide position. When KING OF SHAVER was shifted back to a two wide position, KINGSTON TEMPLE which was following was steadied. At the 500 Metres, SWEET BABY became unbalanced behind after being bumped on several occasions by KEY WINNER (K L Chui) which was endeavouring to shift out to improve its position. K L Chui was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. For a considerable distance after straightening, KEY WINNER was held up and unable to improve when racing inside SWEET BABY. In the early part of the Straight, TRIUMPH had some difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 200 Metres, BRILLIANT FLASH was shifted to the outside of KINGSTON TEMPLE to go forward. In the Straight, KING OF SHAVER hung in. When questioned regarding the performance of PERFECT MATCH, D Whyte said the horse was not suited by the manner in which the race was run. He said when the tempo of the race quickened near the 500 Metres, PERFECT MATCH was left flat-footed, then in the Straight commenced to close the race off nicely. He added over the final 150 Metres PERFECT MATCH was not able to obtain clear running and therefore was not ridden out to the end of the race. He said in his opinion the performance of PERFECT MATCH was not as disappointing as it might first appear. PERFECT MATCH was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT MATCH after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the poor performance of CRUSH ON YOU, B Prebble was not able to offer an explanation. He said CRUSH ON YOU’s work leading into tonight’s race had been good and the horse was given a strong chance because of this. He said at no stage of tonight’s race did CRUSH ON YOU travel and did not respond to his riding in the Home Straight. Mr D J Hall, trainer of CRUSH ON YOU, confirmed the work of the horse leading into tonight’s race had pleased him, however, he was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse. He did point out when CRUSH ON YOU trialed well at Happy Valley on 6 September 2008 the horse did not wear blinkers. Mr Hall said he will give consideration to altering the gear in which CRUSH ON YOU races depending on the manner in which the horse pulls up in the days subsequent to the race. CRUSH ON YOU was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of CRUSH ON YOU after the race did not show any significant findings. KINGSTON WINNER and STRIKING MASCOT were sent for sampling.