26/02/2014  Happy Valley  Race 7

ENDORSING was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of GERONIMO MEADOW which got its head on the side and shifted out. From a wide barrier, SUMARAND DRAGON was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EASY SUCCESS and INVICTUS raced tight between GRAND ELITE and SPINNING DANCER. Passing the 1400 Metres, ENDORSING got its head up and proved difficult to settle when being steadied away from the heels of MAJESTIC ANTHEM. In this incident, ENDORSING shifted out and bumped SUMARAND DRAGON which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FLYING CHAPARRAL. Near the 900 Metres, SUMARAND DRAGON was taken into a position wide and without cover when MAJESTIC ANTHEM shifted out. Rounding the Home Turn, MAJESTIC ANTHEM was awkwardly placed behind SPINNING DANCER and FLYING CHAPARRAL and then shortly after entering the Straight got its head on the side and hung in. Passing the 150 Metres, FLYING CHAPARRAL was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WINNING MASCOT which shifted out under pressure. C Y Ho reported that making the first turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion he noted that the ring bit, which is normally positioned under the horse’s jaw, had displaced and had become caught in CIRCUIT STAR’s mouth, placing him at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race. He said he attempted to reposition the bit in the horse’s mouth, however, he was unable to correct it. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng stated that he had been instructed to ride FLYING CHAPARRAL positively in the early stages and take up a forward position from the outside barrier. He said as the start was effected FLYING CHAPARRAL threw its head up on a number of occasion despite him allowing the horse sufficient rein to begin with the field. He said he then rode his mount along in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain a forward position as instructed, however, when it became apparent to him that FLYING CHAPARRAL was not showing sufficient speed, he elected to shift it across behind runners in an attempt to obtain cover. He added however that due to the make-up of the field, FLYING CHAPARRAL was left racing wide and without cover after the 1200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of EASY SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of EASY SUCCESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, EASY SUCCESS 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 MAJESTIC ANTHEM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAJESTIC ANTHEM, GERONIMO MEADOW and GRAND ELITE were sent for sampling.