11/06/2008  Happy Valley  Race 6

On jumping, GALACTIC TACTIC and SUPER FIGHTER bumped. On jumping, BRILLIANT FLASH stumbled and lost ground. Also on jumping, SOLAR MIGHTY got its head up when being taken back. On jumping, THE WORLD OF LOVE, which was restrained to be taken back, got its head up and struck Z Purton, its rider, in the face. Approaching the turn at the 1000 Metres, ENCORE WIN was steadied to avoid the heels of MR COOL which was taken in slightly by SALUT BEAUTE. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, SOLAR MIGHTY was checked to avoid the heels of THE WORLD OF LOVE which at this time was being ridden along to improve its position inside BRILLIANT ONE which shifted in. Z Purton was told to exercise care. After the 800 Metres, as the tempo of the race steadied, ENCORE WIN shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of MR COOL. Also SUPER FIGHTER was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXTRA SPECIAL. Approaching the turn at the 600 Metres, GALACTIC TACTIC got its head on the side, hung in and caused crowding to THE WORLD OF LOVE. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, EXTRA SPECIAL was checked when crowded for room inside MR COOL (H W Lai) which got its head on the side and shifted in momentarily. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied H W Lai had endeavoured to relieve the pressure his mount was applying to EXTRA SPECIAL, he was nonetheless severely reprimanded and told to allow comfortable racing room for runners to his inside. Shortly after straightening, THE WORLD OF LOVE was steadied and shifted to the outside of EXTRA SPECIAL to obtain clear running. After the 200 Metres, SALUT BEAUTE got its head on the side and shifted out. Over about the final 100 Metres, SOLAR MIGHTY, which was closing the race off strongly, was not able to obtain clear running and as a consequence was not ridden out to the end of the race. Prior to the winning post, EXTRA SPECIAL was inclined to shift in away from THE WORLD OF LOVE and in doing so made contact with SOLAR MIGHTY which at this time shifted out slightly. Because of this, EXTRA SPECIAL was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. The declaration of weighed-in was deferred as the Stewards considered an incident approaching the winning post which cast doubt as to whether BRILLIANT ONE ought be declared the 3rd placegetter. After reviewing the films, it was decided the matter should not be proceeded to a formal protest/objection hearing. It was established approaching the winning post THE WORLD OF LOVE and BRILLIANT ONE, which were closing the race off strongly, came into contact as BRILLIANT ONE which had come from behind THE WORLD OF LOVE shifted in slightly when awkwardly placed inside the heels of MR COOL. ENCORE WIN was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, ENCORE WIN was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ENCORE WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EXTRA SPECIAL was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of EXTRA SPECIAL after the race did not show any significant findings. MR COOL and SALUT BEAUTE were sent for sampling.