13/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 2

TRAVEL GUIDE was withdrawn on 12.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetance) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP (S K Sit). Before being allowed to race again, TRAVEL GUIDE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On jumping, from wide barriers, MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP and CARRY GOOD NEWS were taken back. CENTURY MOLLY was slow into stride. Shortly after the start, CENTURY MOLLY was checked and SUPERB GAINS steadied when crowded for room between SUNSHINE BOY and RELY ON ME which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider, P H Lo. In this incident, SUNSHINE BOY became unbalanced after being bumped on its hindquarters which in turn caused inconvenience to PLOT RATIO. Near the 1300 Metres, SUNSHINE BOY was steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of ROYAL PORTRAIT and tight inside HIGH INTELLIGENT. HOLIDAY SUN, which was following, was steadied and shifted out in consequence, causing FLORAL IMAGE to be carried wider. In the middle stages, HIGH INTELLIGENT travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the Home Turn, FLORAL IMAGE was steadied away from the heels of SUPERB GAINS which itself was steadied when unable to improve behind PLOT RATIO which was giving ground. In the Straight, CENTURY MOLLY hung in and proved difficult to ride. The performance of PLOT RATIO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, PLOT RATIO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CARRY GOOD NEWS and ROYAL PORTRAIT were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CARRY GOOD NEWS had lost its left front plate.