27/01/2010  Happy Valley  Race 1

TRANSCENDENCE was withdrawn on 26.1.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GRANDFIELD (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, TRANSCENDENCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EPEE DE HUA was slow to begin and shortly after the start shifted out and bumped SUGAR ON TOP. DECAGONAL, which was slow to begin, was checked shortly after the start when crowded for room between FORTUNE GALLOP which began awkwardly and shifted in and ARITZIA which got its head up on jumping, shifted out and then a short distance later was taken out by JOYFUL YEARS. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, ARITZIA, which had initially drawn to the outside of JOYFUL YEARS (H W Lai) and which was endeavouring to obtain a run to the inside of that horse, was steadied when crowded for room between RISING WIN and JOYFUL YEARS which shifted in when not clear. H W Lai was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Shortly after passing the winning post on the first occasion, EPEE DE HUA got its head up when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUGAR ON TOP. Approaching the 1200 Metres, RISING WIN got its head on the side, hung out and was checked away from the heels of JOYFUL YEARS. In this incident, ARITZIA, which was racing to the outside of RISING WIN, was inconvenienced. Passing the 500 Metres, SAMMY’S FORTUNE and SUGAR ON TOP bumped due to SAMMY’S FORTUNE shifting out. Passing the 250 Metres, O Doleuze (SAMMY’S FORTUNE) dropped his whip. For the major part of the race, GRANDFIELD travelled wide and without cover. The performance of ARITZIA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, ARITZIA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether SAMMY’S FORTUNE should be declared the winner of the race. Whilst the Stewards were considering whether a protest/objection should be lodged on behalf of the connections of the 4th placegetter, SUGAR ON TOP and/or the second placegetter, EPEE DE HUA, Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of EPEE DE HUA, lodged a protest/objection against SAMMY’S FORTUNE being declared the winner alleging interference to his horse over the final 50 Metres. Having in mind the margin between SUGAR ON TOP and SAMMY’S FORTUNE, the Stewards did not believe this matter should be resolved by way of a protest/objection hearing. After hearing evidence from all parties concerned, including D Whyte, the rider of SUGAR ON TOP, and having viewed all videos, the Stewards formed the opinion that inside the 100 Metres SAMMY’S FORTUNE shifted out away from DRAGON BOY which itself was shifting out slightly, causing SUGAR ON TOP to be crowded for room and taken out onto EPEE DE HUA, resulting in both EPEE DE HUA and SUGAR ON TOP making contact on a number of occasions and becoming unbalanced. Having in mind the nose margin between EPEE DE HUA and SAMMY’S FORTUNE at the end of the race, the Stewards were of the opinion that had the interference, which they believed was caused by SAMMY’S FORTUNE, not occurred that EPEE DE HUA would have finished in front of that horse. The protest/objection lodged by Mr Tsui was sustained and accordingly the placings amended to read No. 8, EPEE DE HUA, 1st; No. 11, SAMMY’S FORTUNE, 2nd; No. 5, JOYFUL YEARS, 3rd; and No. 1, SUGAR ON TOP, 4th. Subsequently O Doleuze was reprimanded and advised that, in similar circumstances, he would be expected to straighten his mounts to prevent causing interference to horses around him. The Stewards questioned J Victoire regarding the reasons for him not having lodged a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of EPEE DE HUA. J Victoire stated that on returning to the Parade Ring, he had a conversation with Mr Tsui where it was decided that a protest/objection should be lodged against the winner. He further stated that he was of the belief that Mr Tsui would lodge the protest/objection on behalf of the connections. J Victoire was advised that the onus remains on him to formally lodge a protest/objection with the Stewards where circumstances warrant. SUGAR ON TOP, EPEE DE HUA and SAMMY’S FORTUNE were sent for sampling.