16/03/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

At declaration time, D Whyte was declared as the rider of both MEGABUCKS and SUPREME DE UNION. It was established that D Whyte had a firm commitment to ride MEGABUCKS. As such, the Stewards permitted Apprentice M L Yeung to be substituted as the rider of SUPREME DE UNION. For this declaration error, D Whyte was fined $2,000. DREAM HORSE began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between BEST FIT and SUPREME DE UNION which was taken out by RUN TO WIN which in turn was taken out by HONOUR LIST. From the outside barrier, MEGABUCKS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 250 Metres, RUN TO WIN momentarily raced in restricted room between EMPIRE CITY which got its head on the side and hung in and DREAM HORSE which shifted out. After the 100 Metres, SUPREME DE UNION was shifted to the outside of the heels of BEST FIT. Throughout the race, PILLOWIN travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight, when giving ground, got its head on the side and lay in and for some distance approaching the winning post was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KARBRIDGE which was also giving ground. The performance of ISLAND SPRING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ISLAND SPRING 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 regarding his riding of EMPIRE CITY in the Straight, C W Wong stated that the horse lay in badly under pressure early in the Straight. He said when he was riding the horse out passing the 200 Metres, he dropped his whip. He said he continued to ride EMPIRE CITY out, however, he was not able to ride it out as vigorously as he otherwise would be due to the horse’s continued tendency to get its head on the side and lay in. C W Wong was advised his explanation would be reported, however, he must, wherever circumstance permit, ride his mounts out to the best of his ability given the circumstances. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that KARBRIDGE had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of PILLOWIN, PLAN B and ISLAND SPRING after the race did not show any significant findings. BEST FIT and SUPREME DE UNION were sent for sampling.