11/01/2023  Happy Valley  Race 8

On arrival at the Start, Z Purton expressed concern regarding the action of MASTER DELIGHT. Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that MASTER DELIGHT was lame in its left front leg, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. As this was the second consecutive occasion that MASTER DELIGHT had been withdrawn on arrival at the Start due to being lame in its left front leg, the Stewards referred this matter to the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy for further assessment. Further, the Stewards ruled that MASTER DELIGHT will be required to 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. STOICISM shifted out at the start and bumped MASTER MONTARO which was hampered and taken out onto DRAGON DELIGHT which in turn shifted out and bumped MALDIVES. After this, MALDIVES was steadied to obtain cover. From wide barriers, ROCKET SPADE and COMET SPLENDIDO were steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. When being steadied shortly after the start, STOICISM travelled keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions. After being crossed by WINNING DRAGON, MASTER MONTARO commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of that horse. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, STOICISM continued to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of DRAGON DELIGHT. After the 1300 Metres, DRAGON DELIGHT raced tight outside WINNING DRAGON which shifted out away from the heels of ENCOUNTERED. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, DRAGON DELIGHT was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, MASTER MONTARO momentarily raced in restricted room between STOICISM and ROCKET SPADE which shifted out from behind MALDIVES. At the 300 Metres, WINNING DRAGON shifted in and bumped GIFT OF LIFELINE. For some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, MALDIVES was awkwardly placed outside the heels of TRADER when improving to the outside of that horse. Passing the 200 Metres, SEAWEED FORTUNE was shifted in away from the heels of DRAGON DELIGHT which was giving ground. Close to the finishing line, COMET SPLENDIDO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WINNING DRAGON. The performance of MASTER MONTARO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER MONTARO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MASTER MONTARO immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. ENCOUNTERED and ROCKET SPADE were sent for sampling.