24/04/2013  Happy Valley  Race 8

SPIRIT SOARING lost ground at the start when crowded for room between WINNING APEX which shifted out and SNITZEL KID which was taken in by HECO RIDER. FLYING UNICORN began awkwardly. From wide barriers, GREAT CHARM, AMAZINGLY and ALL BOUNTIFUL were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. GALAXY PRANCER was also taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, SPIRIT SOARING raced tight inside WINNING APEX. Also passing the winning post on the first occasion, GALAXY PRANCER was steadied away from the heels of DIVINE DIYA which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HECO RIDER. In the early part of the Straight, HECO RIDER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING APEX after getting its head on the side and laying in. When questioned regarding the performance of ONE OF A KIND, D Whyte stated that he attempted to position the horse in about midfield with cover as instructed by the horse’s trainer, Mr C H Yip. He said due to the circumstances of the race ONE OF A KIND was left racing without cover after the 1200 Metres when he was unable to shift in behind runners in the early stages. He said ONE OF A KIND continued to race wide and without cover and near the 1000 Metres became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by DIVINE DIYA. He said he commenced to ride ONE OF A KIND along prior to the 500 Metres to prevent DIVINE DIYA from shifting out, however, ONE OF A KIND was already off the bridle and was under heavy pressure. He said he continued to ride ONE OF A KIND along in an attempt to have it improve its position, however, ONE OF A KIND did not respond to his riding rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He added he continued to push ONE OF A KIND along in the Straight, however, the horse was well beaten at this time. He said whilst ONE OF A KIND was disappointing, he felt that the fact that the horse had to travel wide and without cover for the majority of the race, in his opinion, accounted somewhat for the horse’s performance. Mr Yip confirmed that he had asked Jockey Whyte to position ONE OF A KIND in midfield if possible with cover, however, he was concerned that there were a number of horses that normally occupied this position, however, he had hoped that the horse would be able to obtain cover. He said ONE OF A KIND had pleased him since its last start success and he expected the horse to perform well albeit he held concerns that the horse may be left racing wide from barrier 9. He added even given the fact that ONE OF A KIND was wide throughout the race, nonetheless, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of ONE OF A KIND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of ONE OF A KIND, a favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ONE OF A KIND 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 SNITZEL KID immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ALL BOUNTIFUL immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in the left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, ALL BOUNTIFUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ONE OF A KIND, WINNING APEX and FLYING UNICORN were sent for sampling. <25/4/2013 Additional Veterinary Report> SNITZEL KID, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. SNITZEL KID was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C Fownes this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SNITZEL KID will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.