18/05/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

INDUSTRIAL HERO was withdrawn on 17.5.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen and sore right side mouth) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BESPOKE MASTER (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, INDUSTRIAL HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROYAL KNIGHT, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly. COMMON GOAL was checked when crowded for room at the start between BESPOKE MASTER which shifted in and BILLION which was taken out slightly by MONTE CRISTO. From wide barriers, JOHNSON and O’REILLY MAGIC were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Neat the 1100 Metres, MONTE CRISTO was checked away from the heels of BESPOKE MASTER which itself got its head up when following SUPER CAGA (Apprentice M L Yeung) which was racing very close to the heels of STRAWBERRY. Apprentice Yeung was advised to ensure that he allows sufficient distance between his mount and the horse he is following. When being checked away from the heels of BESPOKE MASTER, MONTE CRISTO shifted out, resulting in COMMON GOAL being steadied when crowded for room inside SUNNY MORE. ROYAL KNIGHT, which was following COMMON GOAL, was inconvenienced in consequence. Approaching the 1000 Metres, O’REILLY MAGIC (J Lloyd) got its head on the side and hung in, resulting in JOHNSON being crowded for room. J Lloyd reported after the race that O’REILLY MAGIC hung in throughout the race. Rounding the Home Turn, MONTE CRISTO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER CAGA. Shortly after entering the Straight, MONTE CRISTO and EURO SWIFTLY raced tight as EURO SWIFTLY shifted to the inside of BESPOKE MASTER. For some distance in the early part of the Straight, ROYAL KNIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BESPOKE MASTER which shifted ground under pressure. Then near the 100 Metres, ROYAL KNIGHT was shifted to the outside of COMMON GOAL when disappointed for running between that horse and BESPOKE MASTER, both of which shifted some ground. When giving ground near the 200 Metres, SUNNY MORE was steadied away from the heels of ROYAL KNIGHT which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BESPOKE MASTER. Throughout the race, GREAT GUY travelled wide and at times without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUNNY MORE, B Prebble stated that he was instructed to have the horse in 4th or 5th position if possible. He said in the early stages SUNNY MORE got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. He said for the majority of the race SUNNY MORE was obliged to travel wide and without cover, however, the horse was able to shift in approaching the 600 Metres to race behind BILLION. He said however that after this point SUNNY MORE came under pressure and despite being ridden along did not respond to his riding. He added in the Straight SUNNY MORE gave ground and raced most disappointingly. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY MORE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SUNNY MORE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY MORE 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 GREAT GUY after the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY MORE, EURO SWIFTLY and BILLION were sent for sampling.