10/11/2010  Happy Valley  Race 8

VANQUISH DELIGHT began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was bumped by REGENCY WINNER which was taken out by THE UNTOUCHABLELAD. From wide barriers, UPGRADING and CHEER were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1200 Metres, CHEER was crowded for room inside UPGRADING which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MOON CHASER. Near the 600 Metres, CHEER was steadied and lost ground when crowded for room inside UPGRADING which got its head on the side and shifted in momentarily. Near the 550 Metres, MOON CHASER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of VANQUISH DELIGHT. Approaching the 100 Metres, KENOBE was checked when tightened for room between JOHNSON which shifted out slightly and CHEER which was crowded when obtaining a tight run to the inside of MASCOT FORTUNE which shifted in slightly. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no action was taken. Throughout the race, GOLDEN TREASURE (W M Lai) travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight was eased down by its rider. After the race, W M Lai reported that, in his opinion, GOLDEN TREASURE did not feel comfortable in its action and for this reason he eased it down over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN TREASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GOLDEN TREASURE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung stated that he had been instructed to have MOON CHASER positioned in midfield with cover if possible from the horse’s awkward draw of barrier 9. He said MOON CHASER missed the start slightly and when he observed MASCOT FORTUNE being ridden into a forward position to his inside and a number of other horses drawn closer to the rail also being ridden along, he elected to shift MOON CHASER across behind runners and obtain a position with cover albeit further back in the field than has been intended. When questioned regarding his riding out of SLEEP WELL over the concluding stages, W C Marwing stated that passing the 200 Metres when being ridden with the whip, SLEEP WELL shifted in under pressure. He said for this reason he stopped riding SLEEP WELL with the whip and straightened the horse. He said after riding the horse out hands and heels for a short distance, he again commenced to use the whip on SLEEP WELL, however, in his opinion, the horse was resenting being struck with the whip at this time. He said for this reason he kept waving the whip at the horse over the concluding stages whilst continuing to ride it out hands and heels. He said over the concluding stages CHEER quickened past SLEEP WELL despite him continuing to ride the horse out hands and heels to the line. After having considered the neck margin between second placed, CHEER, and SLEEP WELL at the end of the race, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that W C Marwing’s riding out of the horse over the concluding stages had affected its final finishing position, however, he was advised that he has an obligation to ensure that his mounts are fully tested to the end of the race where circumstances permit. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY WINNER after the race did not show any significant findings. SLEEP WELL, THE UNTOUCHABLELAD and CHEER were sent for sampling.