11/03/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

Prior to leaving the holding stable, SUN TROOPER had its left front plate refitted. After being boxed, SUNSHINE BOY became fractious in the stalls and sat down behind. SUNSHINE BOY was removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, SUNSHINE BOY will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. When SUNSHINE BOY was unloaded, SUN TROOPER also became fractious in its stall and was unloaded while SUNSHINE BOY was undergoing a veterinary examination. SUNSHINE BOY was slow to begin. SILENT DRAGON was slow into stride. Shortly after the start, MEGA HILL shifted in after being bumped by SHY BALDY which was carried in by CLASSIC NAVIGATOR. As MEGA HILL was shifting in, it struck the heels of MR COOL (Apprentice K C Leung) which shifted out. Apprentice Leung was severely reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Approaching the 600 Metres, CLASSIC NAVIGATOR was bumped by SHY BALDY, then got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of SILENT DRAGON. GOOD TO GO, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of CLASSIC NAVIGATOR. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, GOOD TO GO had difficulty obtaining clear running, then after the 50 Metres was steadied away from the heels of SILENT DRAGON after being carried in by CLASSIC NAVIGATOR. In the run to the line, GOOD TO GO was not fully tested. O Doleuze (TEAM WORK) explained from the inside barrier he travelled in a midfield position on the rail. He said on straightening he turned his mount’s head out in an endeavour to shift out and obtain a position behind SUN TROOPER and follow that horse through. He said as he did this MR COOL shifted out from the rail in front of him and as a consequence he was not able to obtain running between that horse and SHY BALDY. He said at the 250 Metres he commenced to shift towards the outside of SHY BALDY, however, as no running was available he after the 200 Metres steadied his mount and shifted back to the inside of SHY BALDY. He said when he did this TEAM WORK was held up and unable to improve as he was not able to continue shifting in because he was placed outside the heels of MR COOL. He said when MR COOL went forward of him after the 100 Metres, he shifted his mount to the inside and TEAM WORK then closed the race off strongly. KINDACROSS and MEGA HILL were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, KINDACROSS was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, KINDACROSS will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MEGA HILL after the race did not show any significant findings. SUN TROOPER and MR COOL were sent for sampling.