18/03/2009  Happy Valley  Race 6

On jumping, MASTER GUNNER and RED RULER were taken back. ELITE FORTUNE was slow to begin. At the 400 Metres, ELITE FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of DRAGON EYE which lost ground after bumping with RED RULER when endeavouring to shift to the outside of CHARMGOLD. MASTER GUNNER, which was following, was checked in consequence. On straightening, RED RULER and DRAGON EYE bumped. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the opinion an incident occurred shortly after straightening which cast doubt on whether VALUE CHOICE (Apprentice M Chadwick) ought to be declared the winner of the race. B Prebble, the rider of CHARMGOLD, placed 2nd, also lodged a protest/objection against VALUE CHOICE being declared the runner alleging interference shortly after straightening. The evidence disclosed that on straightening CHARMGOLD was shifted out from behind WIN A DOZEN to the outside of that horse and was then hampered by VALUE CHOICE which shifted in slightly before being straightened. Having in mind the manner in which the two horses then closed the race off after this incident, the Stewards could not be satisfied that had the interference to CHARMGOLD not occurred, that horse would have finished in front of VALUE CHOICE, therefore the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. Apprentice Chadwick was subsequently advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 100 Metres, MASTER GUNNER, which was closing the race off, was steadied away from the heels of EASY which was giving ground. After the 100 Metres, MASTER GUNNER was shifted to the outside of EASY. MASTER GUNNER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MASTER GUNNER after the race did not show any significant findings. VALUE CHOICE and CHARMGOLD were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EASY had lost its left front plate.