24/02/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

MIGHTY HIGH was slow to begin. When the pace slowed near the 1100 Metres, YOUNG HERO was checked away from the heels of STRAWBERRY, shifted out and bumped LUMINOUS which proved difficult to settle when being steadied away from the heels of HAPPY SEVEN. LEGEND, which was following LUMINOUS, got its head up and was checked away from the heels of that horse for some distance in consequence. At the 600 Metres, ALWAYS SOMETHING was checked away from the heels of LEGEND, in doing so shifted in and crowded SUNRISE. MIGHTY HIGH, which was following ALWAYS SOMETHING, was checked away from the heels of that horse. CONGRATS and HOLD HANDS were also hampered in consequence. HANNAH KING PRAWN was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 200 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, CONGRATS was shifted in away from the heels of HAPPY SEVEN which was weakening. Close to the line, Apprentice M L Yeung (HOLD HANDS) dropped his left rein. When questioned regarding the performance of HAPPY SEVEN, B Prebble stated that his mount did not relax during the race as it had at its previous starts. He said HAPPY SEVEN came under pressure passing the 500 Metres and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight. He added that, in his opinion, the action of HAPPY SEVEN prior, during and after the race was satisfactory and did not present any concerns. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SEVEN after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STRAWBERRY after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse`s trachea. HANNAH KING PRAWN, LEGEND and ALWAYS SOMETHING were sent for sampling. <25/2/2010 Additional Veterinary Report > The Veterinary Officer reported that CONGRATS was found to have a right front tendon injury this morning. Before being allowed to race again, CONGRATS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.