06/02/2013  Happy Valley  Race 8

JIMSON THE BEST was withdrawn on 5.2.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HOLY MAC (Y T Cheng). Before being allowed to race again, JIMSON THE BEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROYAL KNIGHT began very awkwardly. MASTER GUNNER was slow to begin. HOLY MAC shifted in at the start and bumped GREAT RENOWN. Then passing the 1600 Metres, HOLY MAC, which was being steadied to obtain a position with cover, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT RENOWN. Rounding the Home Turn, STEP FASTER was steadied away from the heels of GREAT RENOWN which was taken out by CIRCUIT STAR. At the entrance to the Straight, HOLY MAC was shifted to the inside of ROYAL KNIGHT to obtain clear running. ROYAL KNIGHT had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 200 Metres, HAPPY TUMBLER and FLYING UNICORN bumped. Throughout the race, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that INTELLECTUALSTRIDE was lame in its right hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position with cover in about midfield if possible. He said in the early stages there were a number of runners positioned to his inside and for this reason he steadied HOLY MAC shortly after the start to shift across behind those runners. He said after being momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT RENOWN for a short distance after the 1600 Metres, he commenced to shift HOLY MAC across to a position closer to the rail, however, passing the winning post on the first occasion he was left racing in a three wide position outside ROYAL KNIGHT. He said rather than continue to race wide, he elected to steady his mount after the winning post on the first occasion and obtain a position behind ROYAL KNIGHT on the rail. He said this resulted in HOLY MAC racing further back than had been hoped. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of STEP FASTER, T Clark stated that his mount travelled well until prior to the 500 Metres at which time the horse came off the bridle. He said despite being ridden along his mount did not pick up as he expected and although STEP FASTER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT RENOWN rounding the Home Turn, the horse was under heavy pressure at this time. He said despite being ridden out in the Straight STEP FASTER did not respond to his riding and, in his opinion, was disappointing. He added that on return to the Parade Ring STEP FASTER became unbalanced in its action on a number of occasions. A veterinary inspection of STEP FASTER after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of STEP FASTER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STEP FASTER 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 HAPPY TUMBLER after the race did not show any significant findings. CIRCUIT STAR and FLYING UNICORN were sent for sampling. <7/2/2013 Additional Veterinary Report>HAPPY TUMBLER, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. HAPPY TUMBLER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D J Hall this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to have a restricted action and was sore over the back and the hindquarters. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY TUMBLER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.