19/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 11

As O Doleuze, the rider of DISGUISE, was overweight, permission was given for Z Purton to be substituted. O Doleuze was fined $5,000. On jumping, NOBLE CONQUEROR was taken across behind runners. Shortly after the start, DISGUISE, which was being taken back, was steadied away from the heels of MASTER POWER. Also shortly after the start, BUTTERFIELD lost ground when crowded for room between OPERATION SECRET and IRON FIST. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FAT DRAGON failed to muster speed. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, FAT DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of MASTER POWER (E Saint-Martin) which shifted in when not quite clear. E Saint-Martin was advised to exercise care. Making the Home Turn, OPERATION SECRET was bumped and carried wider by IRON FIST which shifted to the outside of CALIFORNIAMOUNTAIN into clear running. In the Straight, OPERATION SECRET hung in. E Saint-Martin said his mount was obliged to travel wide and without cover throughout the race. He said MASTER POWER was stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres and the horse travelled keenly in a slowly run race. He said as a consequence MASTER POWER used itself up and when the tempo quickened at the 400 Metres, MASTER POWER was left flat-footed. He said MASTER POWER was disappointing in the manner in which it closed the race off. Mr J Moore, trainer of MASTER POWER, which had been successful in its last two race starts when wearing blinkers, explained it had been decided to remove the gear from the horse on the recommendation of stable jockey D Beadman. He said it was felt MASTER POWER would over-race and not perform stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres if it wore blinkers. He said it was therefore decided to remove the blinkers from MASTER POWER and replace that gear with side winkers in the hope that the horse would race in a more relaxed manner. MASTER POWER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of MASTER POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. D Whyte (SIGHT WINNER), which was having its first start at Happy Valley today, explained he had been instructed to ride the horse from a wide barrier preferably in a midfield position with cover, however, if he was not able to obtain cover, it was acceptable for the horse to be taken further back to ensure cover was obtained. He said he was advised it was important to obtain cover on SIGHT WINNER as it was felt the horse would become unbalanced and hang out on the sharper turns of the Happy Valley track if left racing wide and without cover. He said SIGHT WINNER began satisfactorily, it soon became apparent to him that he would be left racing wide and possibly without cover, therefore in the early stages he elected to steady his mount and take it back to a rearward position. He said SIGHT WINNER travelled comfortably throughout the run, prior to straightening was shifted out and then in the Straight responded fairly to his riding. SIGHT WINNER and FAT DRAGON were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SIGHT WINNER and FAT DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. OPERATION SECRET and IRON FIST were sent for sampling.