30/05/2012  Happy Valley  Race 5

EAGLE SPIRIT was withdrawn on 28.5.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left front foot) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter CHATER D’CAT. ENABLING was also withdrawn on 28.5.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter VICTORY MASCOT. Before being allowed to race again, EAGLE SPIRIT and ENABLING will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VICTORY MASCOT was slow to begin. BANKSTERS BONUS and TRAVEL BRAND were crowded for room at the start between FORTUNE WINNER which shifted out and INDIGO WAY which shifted in after being bumped by OWNERS’ GLORY. After the 1900 Metres, FORTUNE WINNER shifted out when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of INDIGO WAY. When FORTUNE WINNER shifted out, OWNERS’ GLORY was taken wider. For some distance after this, FORTUNE WINNER continued to prove difficult to settle. Then passing the 1400 Metres, FORTUNE WINNER, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was shifted out away from the heels of INDIGO WAY, resulting in FORTUNE WINNER being left racing three wide and without cover. After the 1200 Metres, FORTUNE WINNER was allowed to stride into a more forward position, however, continued to race wide and without cover until near the 500 Metres. BANKSTERS BONUS was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if VIGOR DELIGHT had been afforded a fair start. After having viewed the official videos, it was ascertained that as the start was effected, VIGOR DELIGHT reared abruptly of its own accord, resulting in Jockey M Du Plessis being dislodged. As the Stewards were of the opinion that VIGOR DELIGHT had been afforded a fair start, the horse was deemed to be a runner and correct weight was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Before being allowed to race again, VIGOR DELIGHT will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. The performance of CHATER D’CAT, which finished tailed out after commencing to give ground near the 500 Metres, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHATER D’CAT 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, T H So stated that, in his opinion, SHINY DAY did not see out the distance of tonight’s race at its first time of asking. A veterinary inspection of SHINY DAY and CHATER D’CAT after the race did not show any significant findings. CAI BAO IN and BANKSTERS BONUS were sent for sampling. <31/5/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that CAI BAO IN was lame in the right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, CAI BAO IN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.