19/03/2008  Happy Valley  Race 8

The Stewards were this morning advised that LOLLIPOP was subjected to an endoscopic examination after the horse had been reported to have coughed during light exercise today. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed LOLLIPOP to have some mucus present in its trachea. Having discussed these findings with Mr C Fownes, the trainer of LOLLIPOP, Dr B D Stewart, Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison, and Dr B J Mason, Clinical Veterinary Surgeon for Mr Fownes’ stable, LOLLIPOP was considered suitable to race. Following Race 1, LOLLIPOP was again examined by Dr Stewart who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Shortly after the start, PROPELLOR was steadied when crowded for room between COOL CAT and WHISKY POWER. From wide barriers, SOLAR MIGHTY, LASER TIGER and CLASSA SUPREME were taken across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 900 Metres, GALACTIC TACTIC was checked to avoid the heels of MACHO EXPRESSO (D Whyte) which was being steadied whilst shifting across to the lead and as a consequence was not properly clear. D Whyte was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to exercise greater care. LOLLIPOP and THUNDER DANCING, which were following, were steadied in consequence. For some distance after this, THUNDER DANCING proved difficult to settle. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, GALACTIC TACTIC was unable to maintain its position when crowded for room inside LOLLIPOP which when proving difficult to settle improved its position to the inside of the heels of WHISKY POWER where there was insufficient room. THUNDER DANCING and MR COOL, which were following, were checked in consequence. No action was taken. Prior to straightening, GALACTIC TACTIC became unbalanced when racing tight inside LOLLIPOP. In the early part of the Straight, LASER TIGER hung in. After the 50 Metres, PROPELLOR broke down. When PROPELLOR broke down, THUNDER DANCING, which was improving on its inside, was inconvenienced and because of this was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. For the major part of the race, COUNTRY MAGIC travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, W M Lai (MR COOL) said it was thought GALACTIC TACTIC and THUNDER DANCING which had drawn to his inside would show superior speed, therefore the intention was to allow those horses to go forward and shift across to obtain a position behind them on the rail. He said in accordance with his instructions he allowed GALACTIC TACTIC and THUNDER DANCING to go forward of him in the early stages, however, as he did this, THUNDER DANCING came back and shifted to the rail behind GALACTIC TACTIC. He said as a consequence of this MR COOL travelled further back than intended. GALACTIC TACTIC was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. MR COOL was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GALACTIC TACTIC and MR COOL after the race did not show any significant findings. LASER TIGER and SOLAR MIGHTY were sent for sampling.