21/11/2007  Happy Valley  Race 1

FASTER FASTER began awkwardly. AMBITION began awkwardly, shifted in, bumped the hindquarters of SPY KING and lost further ground. In the early stages, PALIO KING was taken back and after the 1100 Metres was steadied away from the heels of SIR OCTAVIUS. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, MUTUAL GAIN was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPY KING and outside SIR OCTAVIUS which had its head on the side and was hanging out. Shortly after this, SIR OCTAVIUS was steadied away from the heels of VITAL PATROL. At the 250 Metres, SPY KING was steadied when disappointed for running between VITAL PATROL and NAMJONG SKY which got its head on the side and shifted in away from WITHALLMYHEART which also shifted ground. In the circumstances, no action was taken. For some distance after this, SPY KING had difficultly obtaining clear running. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the Stewards semaphored the inquiry sign as in their opinion an incident occurred after the 200 Metres which cast doubt on whether SIR OCTAVIUS ought to be declared 4th placegetter. It was decided this matter should be heard at a formal protest/objection hearing. Evidence was taken from G Boss (SIR OCTAVIUS) and D Whyte (FASTER FASTER), 5th placegetter. After considering the evidence, the Stewards formed the opinion that after the 200 Metres SIR OCTAVIUS drifted out when not clear of FASTER FASTER, causing that horse to be tightened for room on the inside of VITAL PATROL and as a consequence being steadied. The Stewards formed the opinion, having in mind the short head margin between the horses at the finish of the race, that had the interference to FASTER FASTER not occurred, that horse would have finished in front of SIR OCTAVIUS and therefore sustained the protest/objection and accordingly placed SIR OCTAVIUS immediately behind FASTER FASTESR. The amended placings became No. 12 PROFIT HILL, 1st; No. 11 MUTUAL GAIN, 2nd; No. 5 VALUE CHOICE 3rd; and No. 9 FASTER FASTER 4th. Subsequently G Boss was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Also at a subsequent inquiry, D Whyte explained he did not lodge a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of FASTER FASTER as in his opinion VITAL PATROL had contributed to the incident. As D Whyte had previously been spoken to regarding his responsibility to protect the interest of the connections of horses he rides for and he had been directed that he should avail himself of the opportunity to view the official videos of incidents to ascertain whether he has sufficient grounds to lodge a protest/objection, he was fined the sum of $5,000 for failing to obey that direction on this occasion. M Nunes (MUTUAL GAIN) said when he had ridden the horse at its first start this season, it had travelled in a forward position and performed well. He said at the horse’s second start this season when ridden in a forward position it had performed poorly in failing to finish its race off. He said because of this tonight he was instructed to ride MUTUAL GAIN more quietly in the hope that the horse would close the race off. He said MUTUAL GAIN travelled behind midfield tonight and in the Straight closed the race off strongly. Mr T W Leung, trainer of MUTUAL GAIN, confirmed it was the intention to have MUTUAL GAIN ridden in a position with cover in an attempt to ensure it finished the race off. He said at its last start when travelling wide he had been disappointed with the horse’s performance. When questioned, O Doleuze (WITHALLMYHEART) said he had been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position as is usual. He said he rode along in the early stages, however, WITHALLMYHEART was slow to muster speed and as a consequence when racing wide making the first turn got its head up and hung out. He said after entering the Back Straight there were a number of runners to his inside while he was racing wide on the track, however, he felt to have gone forward and attempted to shift across to race outside the lead would have required him to make too much use of WITHALLMYHEART. He said he therefore decided to allow the horse to travel where it was comfortable which was in front of midfield, however, wide and without cover. PALIO KING and SPY KING were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, PALIO KING and SPY KING were examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said both horses were displaying an irregular heart beat. Before being permitted to race again, PALIO KING and SPY KING will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PROFIT HILL and MUTUAL GAIN were sent for sampling.