03/12/2014  Happy Valley  Race 4

JOLLY SPRING was withdrawn on 2.12.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter VICTORY GENERAL. Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY SPRING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When being saddled, WINNING NINE became fractious and reared, resulting in the horse sustaining a head injury. Acting on the Veterinary Officer’s advice that the horse was not suitable to race, WINNING NINE was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING NINE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As this was the second occasion that WINNING NINE had had to be withdrawn from its intended race start due to behaviour issues, Mr T P Yung, the trainer of WINNING NINE, undertook to discuss the horse’s immediate racing future with the owners. Mr Yung was advised that the Stewards would set the matter aside until after that discussion occurred. In the meantime, WINNING NINE is not permitted to be entered to race. WINNING APEX and GO-GETTER bumped at the start. GO-GETTER then shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of TOMODACHI which shifted in. TOMODACHI then became unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in TOMODACHI and SILVER DRAGON bumping heavily a short distance after the start. BALTIC WARRIOR was crowded for room on jumping between CHARITY KINGDOM and FOREVER FUN which shifted out. From the outside barrier, ALL TIMES LUCKY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden vigorously in the early stages, CHARITY KINGDOM failed to muster speed and after the 1100 Metres was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Near the 800 Metres, CHANS DELIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VICTORY GENERAL. Approaching the 600 Metres, FOREVER FUN was taken wider by VICTORY GENERAL which shifted out. Passing the 600 Metres, GO-GETTER and SILVER DRAGON improved into tight running inside FOREVER FUN (A Suborics) and for a short distance after this raced tight inside FOREVER FUN which shifted in slightly. A Suborics was advised to exercise more care. Near the 450 Metres, GO-GETTER raced in restricted room inside BALTIC WARRIOR which lay in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SILVER DRAGON. Shortly after straightening, ALL TIMES LUCKY shifted out and bumped CHARITY KINGDOM. Passing the 300 Metres, FOREVER FUN shifted in towards the heels of VICTORY GENERAL which shifted out marginally. Passing the 200 Metres, ALL TIMES LUCKY was shifted out away from the heels of BALTIC WARRIOR to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, GO-GETTER, which was racing greenly, shifted in and bumped CHANS DELIGHT which was giving ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of VICTORY GENERAL, J Moreira stated that he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to cross from its wide barrier. He said after the 900 Metres he was able to shift in to assume the lead on the rail and VICTORY GENERAL then commenced to travel satisfactorily. He said after the 800 Metres TOMODACHI was allowed to improve its position outside VICTORY GENERAL and rather than becoming engaged in a speed battle with that horse, he elected to allow his mount to settle and shift out to a position one horse off the rail. He added VICTORY GENERAL came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and immediately came off the bridle. He said when giving ground in the Straight VICTORY GENERAL got its head up due to its unusual galloping action and then weakened badly in the latter part of the race. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY GENERAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TOMODACHI, Apprentice C Y Lui stated that the horse did not show the same early speed that it had shown when he had previously ridden it. He said because of this he had to make some use of TOMODACHI in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed. He said TOMODACHI travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and for this reason he allowed his mount to improve after the 800 Metres to see whether it would travel more kindly after being able to lead on the rail. He added at the entrance to the Straight TOMODACHI gave him a limited response when placed under pressure, however, weakened out of the race over the final 200 Metres and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of TOMODACHI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WHO CARES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of WHO CARES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WHO CARES will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TOMODACHI, SILVER DRAGON and BALTIC WARRIOR were sent for sampling.