07/01/2009  Happy Valley  Race 5

ABLE DRAGON was slow to begin. BLUE SKY began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SUPREME GOLD. As a consequence, BLUE SKY lost ground. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, BLUE SKY was steadied away from the heels of MULTO EXPRESSO. After the 1200 Metres, DASHING THUNDER, which had been racing wide and without cover, was allowed to stride forward, however, continued to race wide and without cover. Near the 900 Metres, NORDIC STAR (Apprentice M L Yeung) clipped the heels of MULTO EXPRESSO and blundered some distance after MULTO EXPRESSO had been steadied away from the heels of LUMINOUS. Apprentice Yeung was told he should be more alert to incidents occurring in races. At the 200 Metres, ADD THE FUN, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when tightened for room between DASHING THUNDER and LUMINOUS which shifted out to improve. At the 100 Metres, MULTO EXPRESSO was momentarily steadied away from the heels of NORDIC STAR which shifted in when barely clear. In the run to the line, ABLE DRAGON improved to be racing close to the heels of LUMINOUS which drifted in. Because of this, ABLE DRAGON was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. BLUE SKY was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of BLUE SKY after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the poor performance of ADD THE FUN, Z Purton said in his opinion the horse was not suited being ridden slightly more forward than is usual. He said it was decided to ride ADD THE FUN in a slightly more forward position in a discussion which he had had with the owner prior to the race. He said ADD THE FUN was caught wide early and because of this he had to make some use of his mount in the early stages to go forward. He said ADD THE FUN travelled reasonably until on straightening, however, it soon came under pressure and commenced to give ground. ADD THE FUN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection ADD THE FUN after the race did not show any significant findings. LUMINOUS and NORDIC STAR were sent for sampling. <8/1/2009 Additional Veterinary Report > The Veterinary Officer reported this morning that DIAMOND ERA had a fracture to its left front cannon. Before being allowed to race again, DIAMOND ERA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.