21/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 5

NOBLE MAN was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, STEEL NERVES was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 900 Metres, MASTER KEY commenced to over-race when close to the heels of MASTER RIO. For some distance after this, MASTER KEY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASTER RIO and near the 800 Metres was checked to avoid the heels of that horse. In this incident, MASTER KEY bumped MAGIC SWEEP on a number of occasions, resulting in the horse becoming unbalanced. When MASTER KEY was checked away from the heels of MASTER RIO near the 800 Metres, it shifted out, resulting in COUNTRY MAGIC being taken wider and BINGO BINGO, which was following COUNTRY MAGIC, being hampered. Passing the 600 Metres, MASTER RIO got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider and bumped MAGIC SWEEP, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced. MASTER KEY, which was following MASTER RIO, was checked in consequence and STAR OF FAME, which in turn was following MASTER KEY, was shifted out to avoid the heels of that horse. Just prior to the finishing line, NOBLE MAN went amiss. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NOBLE MAN was lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE MAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MASTER KEY after the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN BAUHINIA and TOPPING LIGHT were sent for sampling.