23/10/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

OPEN SESAME was withdrawn on 20.10.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood in trachea on scoping) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CASA JUNIOR. OCEAN PRINCE was withdrawn on 22.10.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left fore lateral suspensory branch). Before being allowed to race again, OPEN SESAME and OCEAN PRINCE will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CASA JUNIOR began very awkwardly and lost a considerable amount of ground at the start. Before being allowed to race again, CASA JUNIOR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. From wide barriers, VERY WELL and FLYING IN were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1600 Metres, OTTIMO momentarily raced in restricted room inside FLORA DANICA which shifted in. After the 1200 Metres, HAPPY DRUMMING proved difficult to settle and became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GO LUCKY GO. After this, HAPPY DRUMMING continued to prove difficult to settle for some distance. Shortly after entering into the Straight, MY WAY was shifted to the inside of PERFECT SPRINT when disappointed for running between that horse and FLYING IN. In the Straight, HAPPY DRUMMING got its head on the side and was inclined to lay in. Throughout the race, OTTIMO travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of J Lloyd (SUNNY MORE), 4th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. A veterinary inspection of OTTIMO after the race did not show any significant findings. LUNAR REFLECTIONS and VERY WELL were sent for sampling.