30/01/2008  Happy Valley  Race 1

TOUCH LUCKY began awkwardly, got its head up, became unbalanced and lost a considerable amount of ground. On jumping, WHAT A THRILL was checked after bumping with HAPPY SUNDAY when both horses shifted ground. Shortly afterwards, WHAT A THRILL lost further ground when steadied while awkwardly placed between SPORTING STAR and HAPPY SUNDAY. Shortly after the start, VITALITY was checked when crowded for room between TIGER RIDGE and SPORTING STAR which shifted in after being bumped by WHAT A THRILL. At the 500 Metres, GAUCHO became unbalanced when awkwardly placed between CHOICE AND CHANCE and NEW TRIUMPH which shifted in momentarily when commencing to give ground. Near the 250 Metres, B Prebble (TAKE IT EASY) dropped his whip. For the major part of the race, VITALITY raced greenly. Throughout the race, NEW TRIUMPH travelled wide and without cover. The performance of SPORTING STAR, which tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, SPORTING STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. C Soumillon (GAUCHO) explained he had been instructed in what was anticipated to be a quickly run race that he should not make use of GAUCHO to go forward and lead, however, if the horse showed natural speed to do so, that was acceptable. He said GAUCHO began fairly, KEEN FLYER which was drawn to his inside was immediately ridden along to go forward and he therefore felt he would be required to make considerable use of GAUCHO to lead that horse and also to race outside it would result in him being caught wide and without cover. He said because of this shortly after the start he elected to steady his mount to come back to obtain a position with cover. He said after the 600 Metres he commenced to ride GAUCHO along, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and in the Straight when being ridden out was disappointing in the way it finished the race off. NEW TRIUMPH, SPORTING STAR and TOUCH LUCKY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of NEW TRIUMPH and SPORTING STAR after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, TOUCH LUCKY was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was making an abnormal breathing noise and an endoscopic examination showed the horse to be a "roarer". TIGER RIDGE and TAKE IT EASY were sent for sampling.