17/05/2017  Happy Valley  Race 8

On arrival at the Start, Z Purton expressed concern regarding the action of MYTHICAL EMPEROR. MYTHICAL EMPEROR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said, after the necessary consultations, that the horse was suitable to race. HO HO HORSE shifted out at the start and made contact with TRAVEL DATUK. After beginning awkwardly, HERO LOOK lost ground soon after the start when steadied away from the heels of OUR HERO which shifted out. Soon after the start, RIGHT HONOURABLE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WONDERFUL JOURNEY. From the outside barrier, SHARP HUNTER was steadied soon after the start and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Throughout the race, OUR HERO travelled wide and without cover. Z Purton reported that at the entrance to the Back Straight near the 900 Metres, MYTHICAL EMPEROR faltered when it appeared to be galloped on by EXTREMELY FUN. He said following this incident MYTHICAL EMPEROR did not feel entirely comfortable in its action. He said prior to the Home Turn he shifted MYTHICAL EMPEROR out from behind WONDERFUL JOURNEY to improve and placed the horse under pressure, however, MYTHICAL EMPEROR would not stretch out and as he had concerns that there might be something amiss with the horse, he ceased riding it out and eased it down from the 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of MYTHICAL EMPEROR immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a cut to the right hock. Given the circumstances, the Stewards ruled that MYTHICAL EMPEROR must perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. A veterinary inspection of EXTREMELY FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEST STEP and WONDERFUL JOURNEY were sent for sampling.