19/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 6

On jumping, OLYMPICSHIP and HIGH INTELLIGENT bumped. In the early stages, despite being ridden along, VICTORY TREASURE and HIGH INTELLIGENT failed to muster speed and got back further than is usual. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, LHOJONG and MASTER GUNNER raced tight inside HAPPY CRUSADER (Z Purton) which shifted in. Shortly after this, MASTER GUNNER was checked when crowded for room between LHOJONG which shifted out and HAPPY CRUSADER which was carried in slightly by UNIQUE SPEED. In the circumstances, no action was taken, however, Z Purton was reprimanded for causing the initial crowding and told to exercise greater care. Also after passing the winning post on the first occasion, ADD THE FUN, which had bumped with KING FAY FAY, was checked and shifted out away from the heels of THE WITCH’S BROOM. Throughout the race, VICTORY TREASURE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight hung in and proved difficult to ride. Passing the 1000 Metres, ADD THE FUN was checked away from the heels of MASTER GUNNER. In the early and middle stages, OLYMPICSHIP travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the turn at the 600 Metres, SOLAR POWER was crowded for room and awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOLAR MIGHTY when LHOJONG shifted in slightly as SOLAR POWER was ridden along to improve its position. Shortly after this, LHOJONG was bumped and carried wider by SOLAR POWER which shifted out to re-establish its running to the outside of SOLAR MIGHTY. In this incident, some inconvenience was caused to MASTER GUNNER. In the early part of the Straight, SOLAR POWER had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 150 Metres, KING FAY FAY was steadied and shifted to the inside of SOLAR POWER to continue going forward. F Coetzee (KING FAY FAY) explained the horse in the past had shown itself to be uncomfortable racing amongst other runners. He said from an inside draw it was intended to ride KING FAY FAY which was having its first run at Happy Valley in about 4th position and if possible on the fence. He said KING FAY FAY began only fairly, then lost ground after bumping with SOLAR MIGHTY. He said when this occurred, in his opinion he would have been required to make too much use of KING FAY FAY to go forward and cross in an endeavour to obtain a position on the fence, he therefore elected to steady his mount and shift to the rail at the rear which was further back than intended. He said making the first turn he applied pressure to KING FAY FAY to maintain its position as the horse did not appear comfortable. He said after this KING FAY FAY travelled satisfactorily and in the Straight closed the race off fairly. E Saint-Martin (MASTER GUNNER) said after his mount had been interfered with making the first turn, it then continued to race in an awkward position initially outside the hindquarters of LHOJONG. He said passing the 1100 Metres he elected to steady MASTER GUNNER as VICTORY TREASURE improved around his outside and as a consequence MASTER GUNNER then travelled in a position behind LHOJONG. He said approaching the 600 Metres he shifted MASTER GUNNER out to commence improving his position, however, at the same time LHOJONG shifted out and he was obliged to steady away from the heels of that horse. He said in the Straight MASTER GUNNER disappointed him in the manner in which it closed the race off. MASTER GUNNER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. HIGH INTELLIGENT was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MASTER GUNNER and HIGH INTELLIGENT after the race did not show any significant findings. LHOJONG and SOLAR POWER were sent for sampling.