22/06/2016  Happy Valley  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that REAL FIT was lame in the right front leg. Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that REAL FIT was not suitable to race, it was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, REAL FIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GLORY BOY and PERFECT SMART bumped on jumping. PERFECT SMART and KING OF SMARTS then bumped a short distance later. Shortly after the start, HEAVENISARACEHORSE momentarily raced tight between RUGBY DIAMOND and INTELLECTUAL GLIDE which shifted in. From wide barriers, RAY OF GOLD and ABLE TALENT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn near the 1050 Metres, GLORY BOY hung out, resulting in PERFECT SMART being crowded for room and losing ground when tightened onto the hindquarters of RUGBY DIAMOND. After the 900 Metres, FORMULA GALORE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT SMART. After the 700 Metres, INTELLECTUAL GLIDE was left racing wide and without cover. After the 500 Metres, PERFECT SMART was awkwardly placed behind GIDDY GIDDY. FORMULA GALORE, which was following PERFECT SMART, raced close to the heels of that horse in consequence and near the 450 Metres shifted away from the heels of PERFECT SMART and bumped OPTIMISM which became unbalanced. FORMULA GALORE continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT SMART for some distance. HEAVENISARACEHORSE was unable to obtain clear running approaching the Home Turn and then was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 200 Metres, KING OF SMARTS and FORMULA GALORE raced tight. Also passing the 200 Metres, GIDDY GIDDY shifted out under pressure, obliging its rider to stop riding and straighten. After the 100 Metres, INTELLECTUAL GLIDE shifted out under pressure. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RUGBY DIAMOND, Z Purton stated that he had to make slightly more use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position than he did last start when the horse was successful. He said he first become concerned with the manner in which RUGBY DIAMOND was travelling when it was not as fluent in its action approaching and passing the 800 Metres. He said RUGBY DIAMOND did not travel into the race as strongly as he expected when GIDDY GIDDY improved to the outside of RUGBY DIAMOND approaching the 400 Metres and then rounding the Home Turn immediately came under pressure and did not respond to his riding. He added RUGBY DIAMOND gave ground rapidly in the early part of the Straight which caused him to think that something may be amiss with the horse. He said in the absence of any veterinary explanation for RUGBY DIAMOND's run and having regard to the fact that the horse was not as fluent in its action in the early stages as it was last start, he felt that the horse may have jarred up on tonight's track. Mr W Y So, the trainer of RUGBY DIAMOND, said he was at a loss to explain the horse's performance as RUGBY DIAMOND had done particularly well since its last start success and it was expected that the horse would again race well tonight. A veterinary inspection of RUGBY DIAMOND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RUGBY DIAMOND was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RUGBY DIAMOND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT SMART and GLORY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, it was noted that KING OF SMARTS had sustained a wound to the left hind leg. RUGBY DIAMOND, RAY OF GOLD and OPTIMISM were sent for sampling.