20/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 5

BLADE FORCE was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, LUMINOUS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. The performance of LUMINOUS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUMINOUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the 1200 Metres, ZEZAO proved very difficult to settle and travelled keenly despite the efforts of its rider to steady ZEZAO. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the final 150 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether REDOUTE’S FORTUNE should be declared the winner of the race and/or ROMANCING TAMAR should be declared the 3rd placegetter of the race. B Prebble, the rider of SUPREME TYCOON, 4th placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against REDOUTE’S FORTUNE (P Strydom) being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount over the final 150 Metres. Prior to commencing this protest/objection hearing, the Stewards decided not to lodge a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of SUPREME TYCOON against the 3rd placegetter, ROMANCING TAMAR. After taking evidence from B Prebble and P Strydom and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that after the 200 Metres SUPREME TYCOON established tight running between REDOUTE’S FORTUNE and ROMANCING TAMAR. They further found that after the 150 Metres SUPREME TYCOON was checked when crowded for room between REDOUTE’S FORTUNE and ROMANCING TAMAR, both of which shifted slight ground. As the Stewards formed the opinion that there had been movement from both REDOUTE’S FORTUNE and ROMANCING TAMAR and that one horse was not directly responsible for the incident, the Stewards overruled the protest/objection and declared weighed-in on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. The Stewards, in the circumstances, did not believe that any further action was required. When questioned, Apprentice C Y Ho stated that shortly after entering the Straight he elected to shift MY WAY to the inside of BOLD TACK to obtain clear running. He said however that near the 250 Metres BOLD TACK shifted in which resulted in a tight run becoming available between that horse and ZEZAO. He said that as he expected BOLD TACK to continue shifting in towards the rail, he attempted to obtain the run between that horse and ZEZAO. He said however that near the 200 Metres he had to check MY WAY when disappointed for running between ZEZAO which shifted in and BOLD TACK which then shifted out. A veterinary inspection of MY WAY after the race did not show any significant findings. MY WAY, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE and BLADE FORCE were sent for sampling. <21/4/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that BOLD TACK was lame in both front legs on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, BOLD TACK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that BLADE FORCE was lame in both front legs on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, BLADE FORCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.