28/10/2007  Happy Valley  Race 4

While being saddled, BATURO lost its right front plate. This plate was refitted. The horse was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. HORSE POWER was slow to begin, then lost further ground when being steadied away from the heels of SUNNY DESERT which shifted out. CHEEKY LAD and K-JACK from wide barriers were taken back in the early stages. With the intention of being ridden with cover, near the 1100 Metres, WHISKY POWER was taken back to a position behind LEADER. At the 250 Metres, SUNNY DESERT, which had been inclined to hang in, was steadied away from the heels of ACTIVE VALOUR. Close to the line, MY PRIDE and BATURO raced tight. When being ridden out in the Straight, GANBARIA hung in and raced tight outside GOLDEN WIN. For the major part of the race, LEADER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding in the middle stages, W M Lai (GOLDEN WIN) said he had been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position today as it was anticipated a number of runners on his inside would go back. He said GOLDEN WIN began well, he rode along vigorously in the early stages to go forward as instructed and making the first turn near the 1000 Metres crossed to race outside the leader, GANBARIA. He said when racing in this position, because of the manner in which it had been ridden in the early stages, GOLDEN WIN proved difficult to settle. He said after the 800 Metres when GOLDEN WIN was continuing to prove difficult to settle, he felt it would be in the horse’s best interest to allow it to go forward and cross GANBARIA to race in the lead. He said he did not ride along to do this, but rather allowed the horse to stride forward. He said after reaching the lead GOLDEN WIN continued to prove difficult to settle and in hindsight was running at too fast a tempo. However, he believed that given the manner in which GOLDEN WIN was racing, the best option was to allow the horse to stride forward. Mr P O'Sullivan, trainer of GOLDEN WIN, confirmed the riding instructions issued to W M Lai. He said he was satisfied with the riding of W M Lai in the early stages of the race, however, he believed it would have been best for the horse to remain racing outside GANBARIA. He did say however if GOLDEN WIN was racing keenly as suggested by W M Lai, he could understand the horse being allowed to go forward. He said in his opinion the tempo of the middle stages of the race was too quick. W M Lai was told whilst the Stewards accepted GOLDEN WIN was pulling in the early stages, he had after reaching the lead made an insufficient effort to steady the tempo of the race. In the circumstances, he was severely reprimanded and told his riding of GOLDEN WIN was of a concern. The evidence tendered by Mr O'Sullivan was accepted. WHISKY POWER and LEADER were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WHISKY POWER and LEADER after the race did not show any significant findings. MY PRIDE and BATURO were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported GOLDEN WIN had lost its right front plate.