06/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 1

At declaration time, J Lloyd was declared as the rider of both DRAGON BOY and PURE ALPHA. It was established that J Lloyd had a firm commitment to ride PURE ALPHA. As such, the Stewards permitted D Beadman to be substituted as the rider of DRAGON BOY. For this declaration error, J Lloyd was fined $2,000. PURE ALPHA was withdrawn on 5.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CENTENNIAL SMILE (M Du Plessis). Before being allowed to race again, PURE ALPHA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ZERO GRAVITY began awkwardly and stumbled. DRAGON BOY was slow to begin. On jumping EMBRACES was taken back. Shortly after the start, COULDN’T CARE LESS was checked when crowded for room between CENTENNIAL SMILE which shifted out and KING OF TURF which initially shifted in of its own accord and then was carried in further by ZERO GRAVITY. No action was taken. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, TOUCH MORE was steadied away from the heels of HARRY HARRY. After the 1200 Metres, CALL ME CULLEN was steadied away from the heels of SERIOUS PLAY. At the 1100 Metres, CENTENNIAL SMILE got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of DRAGON BOY which was steadied away from the heels of KING OF TURF. In the early part of the Straight, SO NICE had difficulty obtaining clear running and was shifted wider on the track. For the major part of the race, SO NICE, which travelled in a forward position, hung out. C K Tong (TOUCH MORE) explained after entering the Back Straight his mount was not travelling well. He said approaching the 700 Metres he was aware HARRY HARRY which was racing slightly forward of him and to his inside was commencing to shift away from the rail and he therefore commenced to ride along in an endeavour to prevent that horse from shifting out. He said HARRY HARRY at this time was travelling better than TOUCH MORE and he was not able to prevent that horse from shifting out on his inside. W C Marwing (MULTI-WIN SPIRIT) said he had been instructed to ride his mount in a handy position with cover if possible. He said in accordance with those instructions he went forward in the early stages, however, was not able to obtain a position with cover. He said when placed under pressure in the Straight MULTI-WIN SPIRIT kept on only one-paced and in his opinion was disappointing. Mr K W Lui, the trainer of MULTI-WIN SPIRIT, confirmed the riding instructions issued to W C Marwing. He said MULTI-WIN SPIRIT was having its first start over the course and distance tonight and he believed it would be better suited ridden more prominently than usual. He said he felt if MULTI-WIN SPIRIT raced in a rearward position as is usual, the horse might be left with too much work to do in the Home Straight. He said while he was disappointed with the performance of MULTI-WIN SPIRIT tonight, he believed it was due to the horse not being able to obtain a position with cover and consequently racing slightly further forward than intended. The explanation of Mr Lui was accepted. ZERO GRAVITY and MULTI-WIN SPIRIT were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, ZERO GRAVITY, 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. Before being allowed to race again, ZERO GRAVITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MULTI-WIN SPIRIT after the race did not show any significant findings. HARRY HARRY and SERIOUS PLAY were sent for sampling.