19/11/2014  Happy Valley  Race 6

FANTASTIC KAKA was withdrawn on 17.11.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore mouth) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WRATH OF FIRE. Before being allowed to race again, FANTASTIC KAKA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WRATH OF FIRE was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, RIDE WITH THE WIND was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1300 Metres, TAKE TO THE LIMIT was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1000 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 800 Metres. Near the 1000 Metres, DR GOOD HABIT was checked away from the heels of CARTOON FAY FAY when proving difficult to settle. DALWARI, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of DR GOOD HABIT in consequence and hampered HOLMES LEGEND. Then near the 900 Metres, DALWARI was crowded for room inside HOLMES LEGEND which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to DALWARI. REDWOOD BABY, which was following DALWARI, was hampered in consequence. Passing the 900 Metres, BULLISH SMART, which commenced to prove very difficult to settle, was shifted out away from the heels of HORSE APLENTY (H W Lai) which at this time slackened the tempo. As BULLISH SMART shifted out away from the heels of HORSE APLENTY, it was checked when crowded for room between HORSE APLENTY and TAKE TO THE LIMIT which had commenced to shift in to race outside HORSE APLENTY prior to BULLISH SMART shifting out. H W Lai was severely reprimanded and told that whilst the Stewards were mindful of the racing manners of BULLISH SMART at this time, nonetheless the manner in which he had steadied the tempo had contributed to this incident. He was advised to ensure that he does not slacken the tempo of races to the extent where it causes interference to runners behind. Passing the 800 Metres. ETON BLITZ was steadied away from the heels of TAKE TO THE LIMIT which shifted in. Near the 700 Metres, HOLMES LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 500 Metres, REDWOOD BABY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DALWARI. Passing the 400 Metres, CARTOON FAY FAY raced tight inside BULLISH SMART when improving into tight running inside that horse which at that time was attempting to improve into a narrow run between HORSE APLENTY and TAKE TO THE LIMIT. Near the 250 Metres, REDWOOD BABY was momentarily crowded inside CARTOON FAY FAY when improving into tight running inside that horse. Approaching the 200 Metres, DALWARI was shifted away from the heels of TAKE TO THE LIMIT after being awkwardly placed behind that horse which was giving ground. Then near the 100 Metres, DALWARI was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AGIAAL. Right on the finishing line, AGIAAL raced tight between BULLISH SMART and RIDE WITH THE WIND (C Y Ho) which got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure. C Y Ho was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. A veterinary inspection of ETON BLITZ immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of DR GOOD HABIT and HORSE APLENTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. REDWOOD BABY, RIDE WITH THE WIND and WRATH OF FIRE were sent for sampling.