17/09/2008  Happy Valley  Race 3

FOREST STAR was slow to begin. In the early stages, DASHING CHAMPION hung in. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, FOREST STAR was steadied when awkwardly placed inside GOLDEN WIN which got its head on the side and shifted in away from WITHALLMYHEART. Near the 400 Metres, REWARDING STAR, which was awkwardly positioned, was held up and unable to improve, then for some distance approaching the 200 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 150 Metres, WITHALLMYHEART was carried wider by HAPPY GO LUCKY which shifted out to obtain clear running. B Prebble (HAPPY AMBASSADOR), the winner of the race, was advised against the practice of reaching out towards another rider after passing the winning post. The declaration of weighed-in was deferred as the Stewards were of the opinion an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether HAPPY AMBASSADOR ought be declared the winner. After viewing the official video of the race and all Stewards expressed an opinion, it was decided there was no need to proceed with a formal protest/objection hearing and weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. The film showed over the concluding stages HAPPY AMBASSADOR drifted in and raced tight outside HAPPY GO LUCKY, however, in the opinion of the Stewards this did not affect the result of the race. HAPPY AMBASSADOR and HAPPY GO LUCKY were sent for sampling.