18/01/2012  Happy Valley  Race 2

From the outside barrier, HOME WITH GLORY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, FIVE STARS HOTEL was steadied when crowded for room between CHARMGOLD and STAR SON which shifted in after being bumped by SERENDIPITY. Approaching the 1100 Metres, REAL GENERAL shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of DIAMOND RAINBOW, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Near the 1000 Metres, LUCKY NISTELROOY momentarily raced in restricted room between DIAMOND RAINBOW and IMPECCABLE. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, PAR EXCELLENCE was momentarily crowded for room inside LUCKY NISTELROOY which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly. At the same point, BONDI LAD was crowded for room inside CHARMGOLD which got its head on the side and shifted in away from SERENDIPITY. Also making the turn after the 600 Metres, REAL GENERAL got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 250 Metres, BRILLIANT ONE and STAR SON raced tight as BRILLIANT ONE shifted out to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, STAR SON was shifted out away from the heels of CHARMGOLD when disappointed for running between that horse and BRILLIANT ONE. When questioned, B Prebble (FIVE STARS HOTEL) stated that approaching the first turn he had the opportunity to improve to be racing to the inside of BRILLIANT ONE. He said however that he felt he would have had to ride FIVE STARS HOTEL along at this stage to establish running to the inside of that horse. He said as FIVE STARS HOTEL is a big awkward horse, he was reluctant to ride his mount along at this stage, rather he elected to keep FIVE STARS HOTEL balanced rounding the turn. He added however that at this time HOME WITH GLORY lay in on FIVE STARS HOTEL which resulted in the horse becoming unbalanced. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SERENDIPITY, Z Purton stated that after being left racing wide and without cover after the 700 Metres, SERENDIPITY raced greenly and shifted ground on a number of occasions, in particular rounding the Home Turn and again near the 150 Metres. He said, in his opinion, SERENDIPITY is an inexperienced horse which had difficulty coping with the circumstances of tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of PAR EXCELLENCE, DIAMOND RAINBOW and SERENDIPITY after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BONDI LAD after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also that it had lost its right front plate. Before being allowed to race again, BONDI LAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SERENDIPITY, BRILLIANT ONE and CHARMGOLD were sent for sampling. <19/1/2011 Additional Veterinary Report> BONDI LAD, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. BONDI LAD was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C S Shum this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the right front leg. As previously advised, BONDI LAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.