03/02/2010  Happy Valley  Race 1

KEEN SOUL was withdrawn on 2.2.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left front tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FUN (Apprentice T H So). Before being allowed to race again, KEEN SOUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BRAVO WINNER was slow to begin. INCREDIBLE EAGLE was crowded for room on jumping between BUMBLE BEE and FUN, both of which shifted ground. A short distance later, BUMBLE BEE was steadied when awkwardly placed between INCREDIBLE EAGLE and TOUT VA BIEN. Shortly after the start, MIGHTY FEELING shifted out, resulting in THUNDER FLASH being bumped and taken wider. Approaching the 600 Metres, INCREDIBLE EAGLE was crowded for room between LUCKY NISTELROOY and BUMBLE BEE which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOUT VA BIEN. In this incident, INCREDIBLE EAGLE shifted in and bumped LUCKY NISTELROOY, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Then making the first turn near the 550 Metres, LUCKY NISTELROOY got its head on the side and hung out. Also making the first turn, CALIFORNIA OFFICER hung out. WITHALLMYHEART, which was following, was checked away from the heels of CALIFORNIA OFFICER and shifted out abruptly. Near the 200 Metres, MIGHTY FEELING shifted in, resulting in its rider having to stop riding momentarily and straighten his mount. When questioned, B Prebble stated that making the first turn BUMBLE BEE was bumped by LUCKY NISTELROOY and after this raced greenly. He said he attempted to balance BUMBLE BEE rounding the Home Turn in an endeavour to have it finish off the race, however, BUMBLE BEE was disappointing in that it failed to respond to his riding. He said, in his opinion, BUMBLE BEE did not handle the Happy Valley circuit at its first time of asking. A veterinary inspection of BUMBLE BEE after the race did not show any significant findings. OUR PEGASUS and THUNDER FLASH were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ALWAYS ON TOP was distressed. Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS ON TOP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.