02/03/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

As the start was effected, SONOFTHEWEST lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. FANTASTISCH began awkwardly. Near the 600 Metres, CLOVIS became unbalanced when crowded for room between PROSPERITY KID and NOBLE TWINS which was taken out slightly by EVER KING. Near the 450 Metres, SPEEDY raced tight between EVER KING and GOLD CITY. For some distance after the 400 Metres, GOLD CITY was checked away from the heels of MULTILOVE which was giving ground. The performance of GOLD CITY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLD CITY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. P Strydom (PROSPERITY KID) reported that his mount hung out throughout the race when travelling wide and without cover. The racing manners and performance of PROSPERITY KID, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PROSPERITY KID will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Trainer L Ho stated that he instructed Apprentice T H So to position JOYFUL YEARS one horse off the fence so as to allow that horse to make its run to the outside of runners tonight if possible. He said at its most recent start he had intended for the horse to be ridden in a similar manner, however, after observing the pattern of racing in the three races prior to JOYFUL YEARS’ race, he formed the opinion that horses racing on the fence were advantaged. He said he noted the first three winners on the programme had been positioned on the rail and that a number of placegetters in these races had also been ridden closer to the rail. He said for this reason he instructed Apprentice So to ride JOYFUL YEARS on the fence and hoped that the horse would be able to get luck in running to allow it to finish off the race. He added after being positioned on the fence in the early stages, this race was run slower than he had anticipated which did not suit JOYFUL YEARS due to the horse racing behind midfield. When questioned regarding the performance of MULTILOVE, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed to lead on the horse as it had performed well two starts ago when ridden in that manner. He said that he had to make some use of MULTILOVE in the early stages to go forward as instructed and to avoid being crossed by FANTASTISCH and DEVON JOY. He said after obtaining the position one horse off the fence outside GOLD CITY, he allowed his mount to remain racing in this position. He said approaching the 1000 Metres MULTILOVE was travelling well, therefore he allowed the horse to improve into the outright lead. He added that near the 600 Metres MULTILOVE immediately came off the bridle and lost its action at this time. He said he rode MULTILOVE along vigorously after this, however, the horse gave ground abruptly and in the Straight finished tailed out. He said although he had to make some use of MULTILOVE in the early stages to obtain a forward position, in his opinion, this did not account for the manner in which the horse weakened abruptly out of the race at the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of MULTILOVE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MULTILOVE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MULTILOVE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. MULTILOVE, JOYFUL YEARS and EVER KING were sent for sampling.