17/06/2015  Happy Valley  Race 8

APOLLO CAVALIER was withdrawn on 16.6.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FREE NOVEMBER (M Chadwick). Before being allowed to race again, APOLLO CAVALIER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BOTH LUCKY began only fairly. HAPPY SURVEYS began awkwardly and lost ground on jumping. RUBY COAST began only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded for room between FANTASTIC FEELING and FLYING ELITE, both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, BOTH LUCKY was momentarily steadied away from the heels of FREE NOVEMBER. From wide barriers, KING DERBY and GREAT RUN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, GREAT RUN travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXPEDITE. After the 800 Metres, GREAT RUN got its head up when awkwardly placed behind KING DERBY. Near the 650 Metres, HAPPY SURVEYS raced tight inside OUR FOLKS. In the early part of the Straight, BOTH LUCKY lay in under pressure and near the 200 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of YO-YO DA. Near the 250 Metres, HAPPY SURVEYS was shifted out away from the heels of FREE NOVEMBER to continue improving. Near the 200 Metres, T H So (FLYING ELITE) dropped his right rein. Near the 50 Metres, RUBY COAST was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FANTASTIC FEELING. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position if possible on OUR FOLKS which was having its first start at Happy Valley tonight. He said after beginning well he rode his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to carry out his instructions. He said despite being vigorously ridden for the first 200 Metres of the race, OUR FOLKS did not respond to his riding and rather than improving its position gave ground making the turn near the 1000 Metres. He said on entering the Back Straight he was aware that FANTASTIC FEELING was attempting to shift in in front of OUR FOLKS, however, after riding the horse aggressively until after the 1000 Metres, he did not believe that it was in the best interests of OUR FOLKS to continue riding the horse forward in an attempt to prevent FANTASTIC FEELING from shifting in and therefore that horse was able to obtain a position in front of OUR FOLKS near the 800 Metres. He added after racing behind FANTASTIC FEELING, he had RUBY COAST racing directly to his outside. He said when he was aware that that horse was improving its position in order to shift in in front of OUR FOLKS, he rode his mount along approaching and passing the 700 Metres in an attempt to prevent RUBY COAST from shifting in. He said despite being ridden along at this time OUR FOLKS again did not respond and for this reason RUBY COAST was then able to shift in in front of OUR FOLKS near the 600 Metres which resulted in OUR FOLKS racing much further back in the field than had been intended. He added he placed OUR FOLKS under pressure prior to the Home Turn, however, the horse raced disappointingly. After viewing the videos, the Stewards accepted Apprentice Wong’s evidence and took no further action. A veterinary inspection of OUR FOLKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, T H So expressed concern regarding the action of FLYING ELITE. A veterinary inspection of FLYING ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE PRINCE and HAPPY SURVEYS were sent for sampling.