20/01/2016  Happy Valley  Race 7

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that YOU READ MY MIND had cast its right front plate. The start was delayed when YOU READ MY MIND required replating. After being replated, YOU READ MY MIND was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion it was suitable to race. FURIOUS PEGASUS began only fairly. SECRET COMMAND began awkwardly. PEACE N PROSPERITY shifted in at the start and bumped GENERAL IRON. Shortly after the start, YOU READ MY MIND and STARTLING POWER bumped. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT got its head on the side and lay in resulting in FURIOUS PEGASUS being crowded for room. As LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT was shifted out to relieve the tightening to FURIOUS PEGASUS, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT and DIVINE BOY bumped. For some distance after the 600 Metres, GENERAL IRON got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPREME FALCON. Then passing the 500 Metres, GENERAL IRON was checked away from the heels of SUPREME FALCON. LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT, which was following GENERAL IRON, was shifted out away from the heels of GENERAL IRON in consequence and bumped DIVINE BOY. SECRET COMMAND, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Approaching the 500 Metres, HAPPY YEAH YEAH lost ground when having to be checked away from the heels of YOU READ MY MIND which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STARTLING POWER (Y T Cheng) due to the pace slackening. Y T Cheng was advised that whilst, in the opinion of the Stewards, the tempo of the race had slackened markedly at this point, they were satisfied that this was not as a result of any actions on his behalf to restrain STARTLING POWER and that STARTLING POWER had lost ground at this time of its own accord. Nonetheless Y T Cheng was severely reprimanded for not being more alert to STARTLING POWER losing momentum at this time which would have afforded him the opportunity to take appropriate measures to ensure that runners behind STARTLING POWER had adequate time to react. Near the 300 Metres, HAPPY YEAH YEAH was steadied and shifted to the outside of YOU READ MY MIND after being disappointed for running inside that horse which was improving to the inside of STARTLING POWER which shifted in. In the circumstances, the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error associated with this incident and accordingly no further action was taken. Passing the 300 Metres, GENERAL IRON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PEACE N PROSPERITY and near the 250 Metres was shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, HIGH VOLATILITY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of DIVINE BOY, J Moreira stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden from off the pace as it had been in its previous starts when successful. He said in the early stages he was left racing wide and he was not able to shift across to race any closer than three wide. He said when left racing wide without cover, DIVINE BOY travelled keenly and because of this raced in a more forward position than had been intended. He added because of the circumstances of the race DIVINE BOY was then not able to finish off the race as strongly as it had done in its previous starts. A veterinary inspection of DIVINE BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DIVINE BOY, PEACE N PROSPERITY and SECRET COMMAND were sent for sampling.