23/04/2008  Happy Valley  Race 1

LUCKY HONEY was withdrawn on 21.4.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUDDEN SPLENDOR. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY HONEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. During the preliminary, Z Purton was dislodged from TREASURE RAIDERS. TREASURE RAIDERS galloped a short distance before being recaptured. After arriving at the Start, TREASURE RAIDERS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. ME THE BEST was slow to begin. TATTENHALL DELIGHT began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, ENCORE was taken across behind runners in the early stages, then for the major part of the race hung in. NEWSWIRE TOO was slow to begin, then after being ridden along made the turn at the 1000 Metres awkwardly. For some distance after straightening, TATTENHALL DELIGHT was steadied when having difficulty obtaining clear running between TAKE IT EASY which commenced to give ground and PERFECT TREASURE. In this incident, PERFECT TREASURE became unbalanced after being bumped by TATTENHALL DELIGHT. In the early part of the Straight, TREASURE RAIDERS had difficulty obtaining clear running. For some distance after the 350 Metres, TATTENHALL DELIGHT was steadied away from the heels of TREASURE RAIDERS. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, SUPER FANTASY had difficulty obtaining clear running. Over the concluding stages, TREASURE RAIDERS hung in. When questioned regarding his riding near the 100 Metres, O Doleuze (SUPER FANTASY) explained for some distance he had been endeavouring to obtain running on the inside of KINGSTON MARBLE (W M Lai) which was racing tight to his outside. He acknowledged as clear running presented itself, he extended his left leg away from the body of his mount. He said however no part of his body came into contact with either W M Lai or KINGSTON MARBLE. He said shortly after this he accidentally struck W M Lai over the right hand with his whip. Having considered the relative positions of SUPER FANTASY and KINGSTON MARBLE, the Stewards were satisfied that O Doleuze’s leg had not come into contact with the body of W M Lai. Further, it was inconclusive as to whether his foot had come into contact with the body of KINGSTON MARBLE. Therefore, no action was taken. However, O Doleuze was told he must refrain from extending any part of his body towards another rider or horse. In addition, the Stewards were satisfied the whip of O Doleuze coming into contact with the hand of W M Lai was accidental. Y T Cheng (TAKE IT EASY) explained as the horse’s finishing run at its most recent start ended short of the line when being ridden with the lead, he was asked tonight from an awkward barrier if possible to ride the horse in 3rd or 4th position with cover. He said when he was not able to obtain cover in the early stages, he was obliged to travel in a three wide position throughout and then after straightening when placed under pressure TAKE IT EASY failed to respond to his riding and was most disappointing. TAKE IT EASY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of TAKE IT EASY after the race did not show any significant findings. KINGSTON MARBLE, TREASURE RAIDERS and MY PRIDE were sent for sampling.