01/11/2009  Happy Valley  Race 4

Trainer J Moore was fined a sum of $2,000 for declaring Club Jockey G Cheyne as the rider of HIGH NOTE in contravention of the stable retained rider agreement. Claiming freelance jockey, M W Leung, was confirmed as the rider of HIGH NOTE. After arriving at the barriers, the tongue tie applied to HIGH NOTE, which came loose in the Parade Ring, was refitted. After being refitted, the tongue tie again came loose which required it to be reapplied on a second occasion. ELITE FORTUNE was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, WIND KNIGHT and HIGH INTELLIGENT raced tight between SKY WALKER and DASHING CHAMPION which shifted out. WIND KNIGHT hung out rounding the turn near the 1200 Metres which allowed SAPELLI to improve to its inside. This caused WIND KNIGHT to race wide for a short distance before being able to steady and shift in behind SAPELLI. Near the 400 Metres, FIRST BABY (C K Tong) was checked when unable to improve between FANTASTISCH and SWEET BABY. C K Tong was advised to ensure that there is sufficient room to improve when positioning his mounts in similar circumstances. Shortly after straightening, FIRST BABY, which was inclined to lay in, was again checked away from the heels of FANTASTISCH which shifted out slightly. ELITE FORTUNE hung in in the Straight and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he had been instructed to ride SAPELLI quietly today as the horse was stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres. He said in its previous races, the horse had not been able to finish off its races due to proving difficult to settle in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of FIRST BABY and WIND KNIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH INTELLIGENT, SKY WALKER and SAPELLI were sent for sampling. <2/11/2009 Additional Veterinary Report> FIRST BABY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. FIRST BABY was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer C Fownes this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to have a stiff and restricted action on both front legs.