11/02/2009  Happy Valley  Race 2

TALE OF FRIENDSHIP, SAMMY’S FORTUNE and SPRING SMILES were slow to begin. SUPER POWER began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, KEEN SPIRIT commenced to hang out, then when giving ground making the Home Turn hung out badly and shifted wider on the track. After this, KEEN SPIRIT was not ridden out to the end of the race. KEEN SPIRIT was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, KEEN SPIRIT was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. The performance of KEEN SPIRIT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, KEEN SPIRIT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. At the 250 Metres, VITALITY CHAMP (Apprentice K C Leung) was steadied when disappointed for running inside NATURAL ECHO, then at the 150 Metres was again steadied away from the heels of NATURAL ECHO when unable to obtain clear running. Following this, VITALITY CHAMP was not ridden out to the end of the race. Apprentice Leung was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to resume riding his mount out at least hands and heels when running presents itself. When questioned regarding the poor performance of LAZY BUDDIES, M Du Plessis said his mount travelled in a rearward position as is usual. He said LAZY BUDDIES travelled satisfactorily in the early stages, however, after entering the Back Straight the horse did not travel as he thought it should. He said when placed under pressure LADY BUDDIES failed to pick up and in the Straight hung out slightly. He was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse. LAZY BUDDIES was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LAZY BUDDIES after the race did not show any significant findings. SAMMY’S FORTUNE and DECENT FELLOW were sent for sampling.