03/02/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

Trainer T K Ng was fined a sum of $4,000 for failing to properly engage Jockey A Gryder as the rider of WARM EMBRACES prior to declaring him as the rider of that horse. As A Gryder was unable to commit to ride the horse at its handicap weight, the Stewards permitted A Suborics to be substituted. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that Mr Ng had not made a reasonable effort to find a jockey for the horse prior to the time of declaration and that after declaring A Gryder, he had failed to make any effort to contact Jockey Gryder to confirm the engagement. From outside draws, ROYAL PUMPKIN and HAPPY TUMBLER were taken across behind runners at the start. Shortly after the start, CONGRATS was hampered when crowded for room between SAPELLI and CENTRAL ROLE which began awkwardly, got its head up and shifted out. For some distance approaching the 1200 Metres, CENTRAL ROLE got its head on the side and hung out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND DANCER. Then passing the 1200 Metres, CENTRAL ROLE, which was continuing to hang out, was checked away from the heels of GRAND DANCER and shifted out, resulting in CENTRAL ROLE racing three wide and without cover. After the 1000 Metres, CENTRAL ROLE was allowed to stride forward, however, continued to race wide and without cover. For some distance approaching the 1000 Metres, HAPPY TUMBLER proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Rounding the Home Turn, ROYAL PUMPKIN was hampered when momentarily crowded between HAPPY TUMBLER and CONGRATS which shifted out. SUPERNOVA was badly held up for clear running from rounding the Home Turn until passing the 150 Metres. Passing the 250 Metres, ROYAL PUMPKIN was steadied and shifted out across the heels of SAPELLI to improve its position. A veterinary inspection of STRAWBERRY and EASY AHEAD after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY SEVEN and HAPPY TUMBLER were sent for sampling.