05/03/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

REAL SURPRISE was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (injured while being transported to course). Before being allowed to race again, REAL SURPRISE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On jumping, BUCCANEER was taken across behind runners. Also on jumping, MARVELLOUS and BIG KAHUNA bumped. BIG KAHUNA then shifted out and bumped ASIAN CITRUS. Shortly after this, MARVELLOUS and BIG KAHUNA were steadied when awkwardly placed between ASIAN CITRUS and TOWKAY FLYER which shifted out. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, MARVELLOUS and BIG KAHUNA bumped when racing tight inside ASIAN CITRUS which had its head on the side and shifted in. Entering the Back Straight, BATURO was steadied away from the heels of TOWKAY FLYER (G Mossé) which shifted in when not properly clear. G Mossé was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, MARVELLOUS was crowded for room between CLASSIC HORSE and BIG KAHUNA. For a considerable distance after the 400 Metres, BIG KAHUNA and MARVELLOUS raced tight between ASIAN CITRUS and BUCCANEER which at this time was shifting towards the outside of CLASSIC HORSE. Shortly after straightening, CLASSIC HORSE, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied when crowded for room inside RICH DRAGON which shifted in momentarily. After this, CLASSIC HORSE was shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running, however, failed to do so until after the 100 Metres. At the 250 Metres, FORTUNE WHEEL broke down and was eased out of the race. When FORTUNE WHEEL broke down, BIG KAHUNA, which was following, was checked severely to avoid that runner and in doing so bumped MARVELLOUS. As a result, BIG KAHUNA became badly unbalanced and afterwards was eased down. ASIAN CITRUS was also steadied and shifted out away from FORTUNE WHEEL. From the 200 Metres until the 100 Metres, BUCCANEER was steadied when unable to obtain clear running. Close to the line, TAKE IT EASY, which was giving ground, was awkwardly placed inside CLASSIC HORSE which in turn was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BUCCANEER. Because of this, CLASSIC HORSE was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. O Doleuze (ASIAN CITRUS) said despite the horse having run reasonable races, it had been disappointing in the manner in which it had been closing its races off when being ridden prominently. He said therefore tonight from an awkward barrier he had been instructed to ride the horse in a position with cover if possible. He said he was obliged to race wide throughout when runners held their position to his inside and because of this ASIAN CITRUS was disappointing in the manner in which it closed tonight's race off. Mr D E Ferraris, trainer of ASIAN CITRUS, confirmed the riding instructions of having the horse ridden with some cover because he had been disappointed with the manner in which it closed its recent races off after reaching the lead. He said while ASIAN CITRUS travelled further back than he had anticipated, he accepted the horse was not able to obtain a position with cover. He said while ASIAN CITRUS was disappointing tonight, this was due to the circumstances of the race and in future if circumstances permit he will continue to have the horse ridden in a position with cover. ASIAN CITRUS and BIG KAHUNA were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ASIAN CITRUS and BIG KAHUNA after the race did not show any significant findings. RICH DRAGON and RED RULER were sent for sampling.