15/05/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

ROCKETEER was withdrawn on 14.5.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore and right hind). Before being allowed to race again, ROCKETEER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, PRETTY BAUHINIA had its right front plate refitted. PRETTY BAUHINIA was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. GOOD FIT began only fairly. GOD OF DRAGON was crowded for room on jumping between LUCKY GIRL and WITNESS HUNTER which shifted out. A short distance after the start, GOD OF DRAGON was then steadied and shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, LET’S TAKE IT EASY was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After the 1500 Metres, WITNESS HUNTER lost its left front plate. Approaching the 1300 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE (Z Purton) commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of STAR MAJESTIC which was being steadied to allow runners to its outside to cross. This resulted in FEARLESS FIRE shifting to the outside of STAR MAJESTIC. FEARLESS FIRE was consequently left racing wide when XIANG BAI QI and GOD OF DRAGON improved their position inside FEARLESS FIRE at the 1250 Metres. After then being left racing wide and without cover near the 1100 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead after the 900 Metres. After the race, Z Purton stated that the circumstances of the race meant that FEARLESS FIRE was not able to finish off the race particularly at the distance. A veterinary inspection of FEARLESS FIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. On straightening, XIANG BAI QI got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of WITNESS HUNTER which also shifted out. At the 300 Metres, LET’S TAKE IT EASY was shifted in away from the heels of STAR MAJESTIC. Approaching the 250 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE was bumped by LADY FIRST which shifted out and improved into tight running between FEARLESS FIRE and LUCKY GIRL. Passing the 250 Metres, after initially attempting to shift to the outside of FEARLESS FIRE, R Bayliss, the rider of UNICORNBABY, stopped riding and directed his mount back in to prevent causing interference to GOD OF DRAGON which was racing to its outside. Then over the concluding stages, UNICORNBABY raced close to the heels of LADY FIRST and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. After the race, A Domeyer stated that when racing very wide passing the winning post on the first occasion he had to make considerable use of WITNESS HUNTER to improve its positon and shift in to race one horse off the rail after the 1100 Metres. He said WITNESS HUNTER then travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages, however, came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres and subsequently did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of WITNESS HUNTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of STAR MAJESTIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FEARLESS FIRE, LUCKY GIRL and XIANG BAI QI were sent for sampling. <16/5/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that UNICORNBABY was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, UNICORNBABY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.