17/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

TELECOM SUPER STAR, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 14.4.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). LUCKY PRINCE was withdrawn on 15.4.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GREAT GUY (M Chadwick). Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM SUPER STAR and LUCKY PRINCE will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Shortly after the start, SUNNY MORE was checked when crowded for room between I SMELL MONEY which shifted out slightly after being bumped by COMPACT YARN which itself was taken out by BEST FRIEND which was also taken out by AMBITIOUS TREASURE which began awkwardly and GREAT GUY which shifted in. M Chadwick was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every effort to keep his mounts on a straight course in similar circumstances. Also shortly after the start, NORDIC STAR got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of SUNNY MORE. For a short distance approaching the 1200 Metres, VIVA GUY got its head up when racing close to the heels of AMBITIOUS TREASURE. Approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, SUNNY MORE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of I SMELL MONEY and then on entering the Back Straight was left racing wide and without cover. SUNNY MORE was then ridden forward around runners approaching the 800 Metres. After the 600 Metres, COMPACT YARN shifted in and brushed GILDED FLIGHT. Near the 100 Metres, NORDIC STAR was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUNNY MORE which shifted in slightly. When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung (I SMELL MONEY) stated that passing the winning post on the first occasion he shifted his mount across behind COMPACT YARN to obtain a position one horse off the fence. He said however that at this time I SMELL MONEY became badly unbalanced in its action. He said although he was racing close to the heels of COMPACT YARN, he did not feel that I SMELL MONEY had struck the heels of that horse as there was no audible sound at this time and the feel of his horse was not one which indicated that it had struck heels. He said because of this incident TRAVEL GUIDE was able to improve its position inside I SMELL MONEY and I SMELL MONEY was therefore required to travel three wide and without cover throughout the race. He said after this incident when travelling wide and without cover, I SMELL MONEY did not feel comfortable in its action and making the turn after the 600 Metres came under heavy pressure. He added as he felt that something may be amiss with I SMELL MONEY, he did not ride the horse out in the Straight as it was well beaten at this time. A veterinary inspection of I SMELL MONEY after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of I SMELL MONEY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, I SMELL MONEY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, B Prebble stated that when discussing the manner in which CLASSIC BOY should be ridden today from the outside barrier, it was felt that there would be good speed in the race, therefore he should take CLASSIC BOY across behind runners and ride it from behind. He said however that Mr C Fownes, the trainer of CLASSIC BOY, advised him that if CLASSIC BOY were to begin well, he should take advantage of this and attempt to obtain a more forward position. He said CLASSIC BOY began only fairly and shortly after the start he decided to take the horse across behind runners. He said near the 800 Metres he shifted CLASSIC BOY out to improve around ROYAL KNIGHT, however, it appeared as though ROYAL KNIGHT was being shifted out at that time to the outside of I SMELL MONEY, therefore he elected to shift back in behind ROYAL KNIGHT rather than being taken unnecessarily wide. He said however that when he did this, ROYAL KNIGHT was shifted back in behind I SMELL MONEY and for this reason he was not able to improve his position on CLASSIC BOY at this time. He said he commenced to ride the horse along after the 600 Metres to have it improve into the race, however, CLASSIC BOY was not entirely comfortable on the surface. He added that once CLASSIC BOY balanced properly, it then closed off the race satisfactorily in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of COMPACT YARN and CLASSIC BOY after the race did not show any significant findings. AMBITIOUS TREASURE and COMPACT YARN were sent for sampling.