04/07/2012  Happy Valley  Race 1

YOUNG SUPREME was slow to begin and shortly after the start was bumped by WINNING PAL which shifted out. HUA SHI began awkwardly and shortly after the start shifted in, resulting in MIRAGE R and REDOUTE’S FORTUNE being crowded for room. Passing the 1100 Metres, HUA SHI got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MIRAGE R. At the 200 Metres, MIRAGE R and YOUNG SUPREME raced tight. When questioned, Z Purton stated that approaching the winning post on the first occasion his mount faltered and became badly unbalanced in its action. He said as this incident occurred prior to approaching the shadows of the winning post and winning arch, he was of the opinion that FLYING KEEPER did not attempt to jump these marks on the track. He also stated that as he was not in the vicinity of the heels of any other horse, he felt that FLYING KEEPER may have broken down behind given the manner in which it faltered. He said for this reason he eased FLYING KEEPER out of the race. He added that on pulling up FLYING KEEPER was not feeling lame but the horse’s action was more restricted than it did when he had ridden the horse previously. REDOUTE’S FORTUNE, MIRAGE R and HUA SHI, which were following, were all initially hampered. When FLYING KEEPER was eased out of the race, HUA SHI was checked away from the heels of that horse near the 1300 Metres and shifted out, resulting in WINNING PAL losing ground when taken wider. A veterinary inspection of FLYING KEEPER after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse was found to have a substantial amount of mucus in its trachea. Before being permitted to race again, FLYING KEEPER will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY WONGCHOY after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm, however, it was unable to be scoped. Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY WONGCHOY will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KINGSTON ELITE, GOOD GAINS and MIRAGE R were sent for sampling.