02/12/2015  Happy Valley  Race 2

After being loaded, CULTURAL CITY (K Teetan) proved very fractious and attempted to rear on a number of occasions. Then as the start was effected, CULTURAL CITY bounded in the air and struck the outside of its gate, resulting in the horse losing a significant amount of ground and K Teetan becoming badly unbalanced and almost being dislodged. The performance of CULTURAL CITY was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CULTURAL CITY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive barrier trials. Trainer A Lee was advised that the Stewards would revisit this matter should CULTURAL CITY fail in any of these barrier trials or perform in a similar manner in the near future. MEDIC SWORDSMAN shifted out at the start and bumped LOYAL CRAFTSMAN. CASA JUNIOR began awkwardly and shortly after the start became unbalanced when crowded for room between JUST PLEASANT and SOUTHCHINA COMMAND which shifted out. In this incident, JUST PLEASANT also became unbalanced after being bumped by CASA JUNIOR. From a wide barrier, HEAR THE ROAR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1100 Metres, YEUNG SING shifted in and bumped MEDIC SWORDSMAN which became unbalanced. For some distance in the middle stages, JUST PLEASANT got its head up when proving somewhat difficult to settle. BETTER ANNOUNCE travelled wide and without cover until about the 700 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, RED ADVENTURE lay in and proved difficult to ride. Near the 250 Metres, CASA JUNIOR was shifted out away from the heels of SOUTHCHINA COMMAND. Also near the 250 Metres, the whip of K Teetan was knocked from his grasp by the whip of C Y Ho (OWNERS' GLORY). Approaching the 200 Metres, JUST PLEASANT, which was giving ground, was brushed by MEDIC SWORDSMAN which shifted out. When questioned, Mr C Fownes, the trainer of SOUTHCHINA COMMAND, stated that in assessing the make-up of tonight's field, it was ascertained that there was a lack of anticipated pace and as SOUTHCHINA COMMAND had drawn barrier one and had had a number of starts this season, he was of the opinion that it was best for the horse to take advantage of its inside draw and obtain a forward position. He said he had asked Z Purton to obtain a positon behind the leaders if possible, however, if no other runner was intent on leading, then he should not be afraid to dictate the terms of the race. A veterinary inspection of BETTER ANNOUNCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CULTURAL CITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. SOUTHCHINA COMMAND, YEUNG SING and RED ADVENTURE were sent for sampling.