16/11/2011  Happy Valley  Race 1

MEDIC FORTUNE began awkwardly. POLYGOLD was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, SPARKLING was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, EAST OCEAN, which had failed to muster speed, became unbalanced and lost ground. Passing the 1300 Metres, MACASSAR was steadied away from the heels of KUNG HEI FAT CHOI. Also passing the 1300 Metres, SOHNA got its head up when proving difficult to settle. In the early stages, FLYING KEEPER travelled wide and without cover and after the 1100 Metres was allowed to stride forward. MEDIC FORTUNE also travelled wide in the early stages and passing the 1000 Metres was permitted to stride forward into a position closer to the rail. Near the 900 Metres, EAST OCEAN became unbalanced when awkwardly placed outside the hindquarters of MACASSAR which shifted out slightly. Passing the 600 Metres, RAY’S FAVOURITE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FULL STAR which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MACASSAR. Also passing the 600 Metres, POLYGOLD shifted out after being steadied away from the heels of EAST OCEAN. Rounding the Home Turn, FULL STAR became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of MACASSAR. At the entrance to the Straight, KUNG HEI FAT CHOI was checked when attempting to improve to the outside of FLYING KEEPER which was taken out by MEDIC FORTUNE. In this incident, SONOFTHEWEST, which was racing to the outside of KUNG HEI FAT CHOI, was bumped and became unbalanced. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if RAY’S FAVOURITE had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from Jockey Y T Cheng, the rider of RAY’S FAVOURITE, and Mr T McGovern, Starter. After viewing the official videos, it was ascertained that momentarily prior to the start being effected, RAY’S FAVOURITE became fractious and lunged at the front gates. In this incident, RAY’S FAVOURITE made contact with the front gates which as a result opened just prior to the start being effected. RAY’S FAVOURITE, which was being assisted by a starting gate handler when fractious in the barriers, then was very slow to begin and lost a considerable amount of ground. As the Stewards formed the opinion that RAY’S FAVOURITE’s barrier manners were the sole cause of this incident, that horse was deemed to be a runner. After considering RAY’S FAVOURITE’s previous record in respect of barrier manners, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, RAY’S FAVOURITE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. A veterinary inspection of FLYING KEEPER after the race did not show any significant findings. RAY’S FAVOURITE, SOHNA and EAST OCEAN were sent for sampling.