09/04/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

RACING SPIRIT was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial quantity of mucopus in trachea on scoping). Before being allowed to race again, RACING SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. While in the holding stables, MIGHTY MAN had its right hind plate reset. MIGHTY MAN was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. TATTENHALL DELIGHT was slow to begin. WIKI WIKI began awkwardly, causing Z Purton, its rider, to become badly unbalanced and almost be dislodged. As a consequence, WIKI WIKI lost a considerable amount of ground. On jumping, from a wide barrier, SURE HERO got its head up when being steadied and taken across behind runners. At the 900 Metres, HAPPY ENERGY got its head on the side and hung in. HAPPY ENERGY continued to hang in for the remainder of the race and proved difficult to ride. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, WIKI WIKI was steadied away from the heels of TELEWIN which was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SURE HERO which got its head on the side and shifted in momentarily. At the same time, MIGHTY MAN was crowded for room inside HAPPY ENERGY which shifted in slightly while continuing to hang. In the Straight, TELEWIN hung in. D Beadman (SUNNY GOLF) explained the intention had been from an awkward barrier to endeavour to ride the horse in a handy position with cover if possible. He said on jumping he rode SUNNY GOLF along to go forward and cross runners to his inside in the hope that he would be able to obtain a position on the fence following the leader. He said however CRYSTAL was hard ridden to maintain its position and as a consequence making the turn at the 1000 Metres SUNNY GOLF was left racing three wide and without cover. He said because of this he continued forward on SUNNY GOLF to clear CRYSTAL and as he did this it appeared TAKE IT EASY was endeavouring to steady the tempo in the lead. He said he therefore decided to ride SUNNY GOLF along in an endeavour to cross to the fence in front, however, the horse raced awkwardly with its head up and was reluctant to shift to the fence. SUPER GOAL MASTER and SUNNY GOLF were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported MIGHTY MAN had bled from both nostrils.