01/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 7

Prior to the running of Race 1, MASTER CRISTO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in the left hind leg and in his opinion was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of MASTER CRISTO. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER CRISTO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. In the early stages, SOARING RIVER was taken back and TIGER RIDGE was allowed to drift back. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, STAR OF FAME, which had raced tight with SUPER SNIPPETS, failed to muster speed. Entering the Back Straight, SUPER GENERAL got its head up when being steadied and then for a considerable distance proved difficult to settle. In the early and middle stages, MY HOME TOWN travelled wide and without cover. Near the 400 Metres, SUPER SNIPPETS when racing tight inside POWER RETURN was steadied away from the heels of MAGIC SWEEP. SOARING RIVER, which was following, was steadied in consequence. In the early part of the Straight, TEAM WORK got its head on the side and hung in. After the 200 Metres, SUPER SNIPPETS, which was experiencing some difficulty obtaining clear running, was shifted wider on the track. At the 150 Metres, STAR OF FAME was steadied when awkwardly placed between POWER RETURN and FANTASTIC CHOICE. At the 50 Metres, J Winks (MY HOME TOWN) dropped his whip. M W Leung (SOARING RIVER) explained on straightening he was following MAGIC SWEEP and that horse appeared to be shifting out into clear running. He said at the same time he noticed there was an opportunity for him to make up considerable ground inside SUPER SNIPPETS and he therefore shifted his mount into that position. He said he then commenced riding SOARING RIVER along and his mount closed the race off strongly until about the final 50 Metres when it was not able to obtain clear running between SUPER GENERAL and TEAM WORK. He said because of not obtaining clear running he was required to steady his mount and therefore was not able to ride it out to the finish of the race. When questioned, D Beadman (EVER BEAUTY) explained along the Back Straight he travelled outside the leader, SUPER GENERAL. He said approaching the turn at the 600 Metres MY HOME TOWN, which had been racing in a three wide position, commenced to improve. He said as EVER BEAUTY had been travelling on the bridle, he elected to allow MY HOME TOWN to go forward and cross to race outside the lead. He said as this happened SUPER GENERAL improved to hold the fence inside MY HOME TOWN and EVER BEAUTY travelled more kindly. He said shortly after making the turn at the 600 Metres MY HOME TOWN commenced to come back from racing outside SUPER GENERAL. He said because of this he then shifted EVER BEAUTY back out to a three wide position and commenced to improve around the outside of MY HOME TOWN. D Beadman was told his explanation would be reported. FANTASTIC CHOICE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, FANTASTIC CHOICE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FANTASTIC CHOICE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EVER BEAUTY, MAGIC SWEEP and MY HOME TOWN were sent for sampling. <2/4/2009 Additional Veterinary Report > FANTASTIC CHOICE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. FANTASTIC CHOICE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C Fownes this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. As previously advised, FANTASTIC CHOICE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.