06/01/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

SUPER CHARGE was withdrawn on 5.1.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CHARMGOLD (A Suborics). MEDIC FORTUNE began awkwardly. ESPERANZA travelled wide and without cover in the early and middle stages. Rounding the Home Turn, STAR OF FAME was checked away from the heels of MASARYK. Whilst the Stewards considered the riding of A Gryder (INVINCIBLEKINDNESS), 6th placegetter, did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out to the end of the race wherever possible. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed not to make use of MASARYK in the early stages as it was felt that the horse would not be able to finish off the race if it was ridden in this manner. He said accordingly he allowed MASARYK to begin, however, it soon became apparent to him that a number of runners to his inside were being ridden along into forward positions. He said for this reason he steadied MASARYK in the early stages to obtain a position with cover initially behind VAUGIRARD. He said when VAUGIRARD shifted in to race on the fence near the 900 Metres, he allowed MASARYK to improve its position to race on the back of WELL NOTED. He said MASARYK travelled satisfactorily until near the 400 Metres at which time it came under pressure. He added, in his opinion, MASARYK was somewhat disappointing in the manner in which it finished off the race. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF FAME after the race did not show any significant findings. TAI SING YEH and VAUGIRARD were sent for sampling.