17/02/2016  Happy Valley  Race 1

After being loaded, OCTAL LUCK became fractious, reared and momentarily sat down before getting its right front leg into the adjoining stall and then its head behind the overhead structure. In this incident, B Prebble was dislodged from OCTAL LUCK. OCTAL LUCK was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Accordingly OCTAL LUCK was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, OCTAL LUCK will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, B Prebble was examined by the Club's medical officers and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS, which was in the stall adjoining that occupied by OCTAL LUCK, was also removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. TARZAN I AM began only fairly. GIDDY GIDDY began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in HIGHLAND DRAGON being bumped and taken out onto HAPPY HOMING which was crowded for room inside DOUBLE MASTER. Passing the 800 Metres, GLORY BOY was steadied away from the heels of PERFECT SMART which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GIDDY GIDDY. Also passing the 800 Metres, HEARTLAND lay in and bumped HIGHLAND DRAGON. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, PERFECT SMART was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DOUBLE MASTER. At the 300 Metres, TARZAN I AM was shifted out away from the heels of HEARTLAND which was shifted out from behind GOLDEN CHOICE. Passing the 200 Metres, HIGHLAND DRAGON was shifted to the outside of PERFECT SMART after being crowded for room between that horse and GLORY BOY, both of which shifted ground marginally. After the 200 Metres, HIGHLAND DRAGON and GLORY BOY raced tight inside PERFECT SMART which shifted in slightly. Near the 75 Metres, HAPPY HOMING momentarily raced in restricted room between GOLDEN CHOICE and HIGHLAND DRAGON. At the 50 Metres, HEARTLAND, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded for room between GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS which shifted out slightly away from the heels of GOLDEN CHOICE and TARZAN I AM (Y T Cheng) which shifted in under pressure. Y T Cheng was reprimanded and advised that whilst there was some minor contribution from GOOD VIEW DELIGHTS, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more of an endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Close to the finishing line, JUST PLEASANT was steadied after being crowded for room inside GIDDY GIDDY which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Throughout the race, GOLDEN CHOICE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of GIDDY GIDDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT SMART and DOUBLE MASTER were sent for sampling.