24/06/2015  Happy Valley  Race 8

On arrival at the Start, Apprentice H N Wong expressed concern regarding the action of NOBLE DELUXE. NOBLE DELUXE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion the horse was lame in both hind legs and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of NOBLE DELUXE. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE DELUXE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Due to the air pressure malfunctioning on the barrier stalls, the start of this race was started manually. LOTUS STRIKES BACK was slow to begin and lost its right front plate after the 1600 Metres. From wide barriers, GOODHEART SUCCESS, GONNA RUN and JOLLY VICTOR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, CHATER LEGEND was crowded for room between SELKIRK STAR and MARVEL TRIBE (N Callan) which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to CHATER LEGEND. The Stewards found that after having initially been clear of CHATER LEGEND when MARVEL TRIBE commenced to shift in, CHATER LEGEND then improved quickly to be racing to the inside of the heels of that horse. N Callan was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he takes all available measures to establish whether he is clear of other runners prior to shifting ground in similar circumstances. Due to the slow tempo, GOODHEART SUCCESS was allowed to stride forward passing the 1100 Metres to race outside the lead. Making the first turn after the 1100 Metres, SELKIRK STAR shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BULLISH BOY. After the 100 Metres, TRENDY WIN raced tight outside WINNIE’S HORSE which got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. BULLISH BOY lost its right hind plate at the 400 Metres and its left front plate after passing the winning post. When questioned regarding his riding of BULLISH BOY, G Mosse stated that he had been instructed, from barrier 8, to obtain a position behind the leaders with cover if possible as BULLISH BOY had raced successfully when ridden in this manner from a more favourable barrier at its most recent start. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to shift in behind TRENDY WIN when that horse improved to race outside the lead, however, SELKIRK STAR improved its position to be racing just to the inside of the heels of BULLISH BOY. He said he continued to place some pressure on SELKIRK STAR approaching and passing the 1200 Metres to establish whether he could position BULLISH BOY behind TRENDY WIN and in front of SELKIRK STAR, however, SELKIRK STAR continued to maintain its position. He said at this time BULLISH BOY was travelling only fairly and as SELKIRK STAR did not fully establish itself inside BULLISH BOY, he continued to pursue the option of obtaining a trailing position behind TRENDY WIN for some distance after the 1200 Metres. He said however that when that horse maintained its position, he was left racing in a three wide position without cover and near the 1000 Metres GOODHEART SUCCESS rapidly improved around BULLISH BOY to race in a forward position. He said after this BULLISH BOY continued to race wide and without cover and then came under pressure well before the Home Turn and did not finish off the race. He added that he noted after the race BULLISH BOY had lost its left front and right hind plates which may have affected the horse’s ability to finish off the race. G Mosse was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had attempted to carry out his instructions approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, when it became apparent that BULLISH BOY would not be able to obtain cover behind TRENDY WIN and given the tempo of the race at the relevant time, he should have made an effort to allow BULLISH BOY to improve its position rather than continue to race wide and without cover. G Mosse was further advised to ensure that, wherever circumstances allow, he should avoid covering unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of GONNA RUN, BULLISH BOY and GOODHEART SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STAR MAJESTIC and WINNIE’S HORSE were sent for sampling.