14/03/2012  Happy Valley  Race 4

NOBLE DE BEST was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (skin allergy). Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE DE BEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KOENIGSBERG, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly, resulting in its rider, K C Leung, becoming unbalanced in the saddle. WHITE HART KING began awkwardly. A short distance after the start, KOENIGSBERG was crowded for room between STARLIT WARRIOR and SOMETHING SPECIAL which shifted out. From wide barriers, HEALTHY MANNER and TOP DRAGON were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1200 Metres, TOP DRAGON commenced to travel strongly and was shifted out away from the heels of STARLIT WARRIOR, resulting in HEALTHY MANNER being taken wider. At the 1200 Metres, ALMIGHTY WINDPOWER was steadied away from the heels of EASY AHEAD (Apprentice T H So) which shifted in when not properly clear. Apprentice So was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. At the entrance to the Straight, CLYDESIDER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT TEN after being taken out by HAPPY SCORE which shifted out to obtain clear running. Shortly after entering the Straight, HAPPY SCORE was taken in by PERFECT TEN which shifted in. After the 200 Metres, HAPPY SCORE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WHITE HART KING which shifted ground. Over the concluding stages, KOENIGSBERG was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY SCORE which shifted out. Because of this, KOENIGSBERG was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. For the majority of the race, PERFECT TEN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SOMETHING SPECIAL, N Callan said that he had trialed the horse in the lead up to tonight’s race and, in his opinion, that trial was only fair. He sais in tonight’s race he rode SOMETHING SPECIAL at the rear of the field which is usual and consistent with the manner in which he rode it at its last start when successful. He said however that after the 800 Metres he became concerned with the manner in which SOMETHING SPECIAL was travelling and he then had to ride the horse along after the 600 Metres in an attempt to stay with the field. He said as SOMETHING SPECIAL did not respond to his riding, he used the whip on the horse near the 500 Metres in an endeavour to have it respond. He added that despite this SOMETHING SPECIAL did not respond to his riding at any stage and in the Straight got its head up and appeared to him to be reluctant to stride out. He said after the race SOMETHING SPECIAL’s action appeared normal and he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing manner in which the horse raced tonight. A veterinary inspection of SOMETHING SPECIAL after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SOMETHING SPECIAL, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOMETHING SPECIAL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY MANNER after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY SCORE, TOP DRAGON and EASY AHEAD were sent for sampling.