01/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 4

SIR LAGO and OASIS DAVIS were slow to begin. On jumping, DASHING THUNDER and ROYAL PORTRAIT bumped. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, BOLD CHAMPION, which was being ridden along to obtain a forward position, was steadied when crowded for room inside MULTI MILLIONS (D Whyte) which shifted in momentarily. D Whyte was told to exercise more care. Near the 1200 Metres, BOLD CHAMPION was steadied when awkwardly placed between OASIS DAVIS and MULTI MILLIONS which in turn was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BULB TREASURE. No action was taken. At the 800 Metres, SIR LAGO was checked to avoid the heels of SUPER SURPRISE which when proving difficult to settle and being steadied away from the heels of ROYAL PORTRAIT shifted in. Prior to straightening, MULTI MILLIONS and BOLD CHAMPION were checked when racing tight inside DASHING THUNDER which shifted in slightly when giving ground. ROYAL PORTRAIT, PEARL HALO and SIR LAGO, which were following, were hampered and carried wider and SUPER SURPRISE was steadied in consequence. No action was taken. On straightening, HAPPY GO LUCKY was steadied and shifted to the inside of FLORAL IMAGE to obtain clear running. For the major part of the race, DASHING THUNDER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr P O’Sullivan, trainer of PEARL HALO, said he had initially intended to have the horse ridden in a forward position as is usual. He said prior to the race the owners of the horse requested of him that the horse be ridden quietly from the outside barrier. He said they explained they were concerned should the horse be ridden forward, it might be left racing wide and without cover which would be to its disadvantage. Mr O’Sullivan said after receiving this request from the owners of PEARL HALO, he instructed Apprentice K C Leung to ride the horse accordingly. Apprentice Leung confirmed the riding instructions issued to him. He said his mount travelled a little keenly in the early and middle stages. He said after the 800 Metres he considered shifting to a three wide position to follow DASHING THUNDER forward, however, he chose not to do so as he was concerned he would be covering additional ground against the wishes of the owners of the horse. He said after the 600 Metres when the tempo of the race quickened he commenced to ride PEARL HALO along, the horse took time to make ground, however, in the Straight closed the race off fairly. Mr O’Sullivan advised should PEARL HALO be drawn more favourably, he would expect the horse to be ridden in a more forward position. The Stewards advised Apprentice Leung he should be aware of opportunities to improve his position in the run and be aware of the change in tempo of races. When questioned regarding the poor performance of OASIS DAVIS, Apprentice M L Yeung said his mount travelled comfortably in a midfield position on the fence. He said prior to straightening OASIS DAVIS became unbalanced when changing lead legs, bumped the running rail and lost ground. He said after this when placed under pressure OASIS DAVIS failed to close the race off in the manner he had expected. OASIS DAVIS was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of OASIS DAVIS after the race did not show any significant findings. BOLD CHAMPION and FLORAL IMAGE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, BOLD CHAMPION was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Also after the race, FLORAL IMAGE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed the horse to have an epiglottic entrapment. Before being allowed to race again, BOLD CHAMPION and FLORAL IMAGE will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY GO LUCKY and LUCKY TYCOON were sent for sampling.