19/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 8

SALUT BEAUTE was withdrawn on 16.10.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucopus in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GAUCHO. Before being allowed to race again, SALUT BEAUTE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards interviewed Mr T K Ng, trainer of CLASSIC NAVIGATOR, regarding the horse’s preparation for today’s race. Mr Ng advised the Stewards that CLASSIC NAVIGATOR has a history of soundness issues and because of this is not subjected to extensive fast work on the training track. He said CLASSIC NAVIGATOR’s work in the lead up to today’s race has been restricted to swimming, exercising on the bridle path and cantering on the Small All Weather Track. He said CLASSIC NAVIGATOR was given fast work on the Large All Weather Track on 16 October 2008. He said CLASSIC NAVIGATOR had performed well in a race of a similar preparation in the past. CLASSIC NAVIGATOR at the direction of the Stewards was inspected by the Veterinary Officer. He said there were no significant findings. WIN-A-LOT began awkwardly. SUNSHINE BOY was slow to muster speed. Shortly after the start, GALACTIC TACTIC lost ground when bumped by CLASSIC NAVIGATOR which shifted out away from LUCKY WINNER. In the early stages, TREASURE RAIDERS was taken back from a wide barrier. After the 600 Metres, CLASSIC NAVIGATOR and LUCKY WINNER bumped. For some distance after straightening, GALACTIC TACTIC had difficulty obtaining clear running between LUCKY WINNER and CLASSIC NAVIGATOR. Also for some distance after straightening, MY LUCK was steadied away from the heels of CLASSIC NAVIGATOR when unable to obtain clear running inside LUCKY FRUIT. In the early part of the Straight, GRAND COMMANDS and SUPER GOAL MASTER raced tight as SUPER GOAL MASTER was shifted out to obtain clear running outside LUCKY FRUIT which shifted out. Throughout the race, LUCKY FRUIT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr D E Ferraris, trainer of GAUCHO, said it was intended to have the horse ridden in a rearward position from the outside barrier. He said because of the composition of today’s field, he believed if ridden in a forward position from the start, GAUCHO would be left racing wide and without cover and in the past has not performed to his satisfaction when ridden in this manner on turf. K T Yeung confirmed he received those riding instructions for GAUCHO. K Y Yeung said in accordance with those instructions on jumping he immediately took hold of GAUCHO in an endeavour to restrain the horse back to a rearward position with cover. He said GAUCHO resented being restrained and immediately commenced to over-race and would not settle. He said because of this he was not able to ride the horse in its intended position but rather travelled in midfield without cover. He said along the Back Straight GAUCHO continued to prove very difficult for him to settle and pulled its way into a forward position near the 600 Metres. He said he briefly obtained a position behind LUCKY FRUIT near the 600 Metres, but as GAUCHO travelled close to the heels of that horse, he again shifted his mount out to a four wide position as he felt to have remained racing behind LUCKY FRUIT might place himself in danger. He said shortly after this GAUCHO commenced to give ground and tailed out. Mr Ferraris expressed dissatisfaction that his instructions were not able to be carried out on GAUCHO. After viewing the official film of the race, he acknowledged K T Yeung had somewhat taken hold of GAUCHO at the start as instructed and that the horse had proved difficult for K T Yeung to settle, but he would have preferred that K T Yeung made a greater effort than he did to ride the horse according to his instructions. K T Yeung was severely reprimanded and told when his endeavours to ride GAUCHO according to the instructions issued to him were not successful in the early stages, he should have shown more initiative than he did on this occasion. The Stewards advised Mr Ferraris they were concerned with the riding instructions issued for GAUCHO in today’s race, particularly where such instructions involved the horse being a promoted standby runner. He was told on this occasion the Stewards did not believe he was in breach of the Rules, however, he must at all times ensure appropriate riding instructions are issued to the riders of horses trained by him. GAUCHO was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GAUCHO after the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards considered the performance of GAUCHO to be unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, GAUCHO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY WINNER, BRILLIANT ONE and SUPER GOAL MASTER were sent for sampling.