20/06/2010  Happy Valley  Race 2

FRESH AIR and MORE THAN YOU WISH were slow to begin. Passing the 600 Metres, NOT QUITE PERFECT was steadied and lost its position when crowded for room between SPLENDID SAILS and GO FAY FAY which at this time was taken in by MORE THAN YOU WISH which itself was taken in by SOU MA TAM (M W Leung) which, when racing wide, shifted in. In this incident, NOT QUITE PERFECT bumped the hindquarters of SPLENDID SAILS, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced. M W Leung was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in future. Near the 550 Metres, SPLENDID SAILS was steadied away from the heels of CLASSIC NAVIGATOR which at this time was taken in slightly by SOLAR BOY which itself shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MILLION DARLING which shifted in when just clear. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred over the concluding stages which cast sufficient doubt on whether DESTINY’S CHILD (Z Purton) should be placed second. After viewing the available videos, the Stewards believed this was not an appropriate case in which they should exercise their special powers under Rule 123 and accordingly weighed-in was semaphored confirming the Judge’s placings. The Stewards found that inside the final 50 Metres DESTINY’S CHILD shifted out, resulting in MILLION DARLING being bumped and becoming unbalanced. However, bearing in mind the neck margin between those horses at the finish of the race and the proximity of the incident to the winning post, no further action was taken. Whilst it did not influence the decision of whether the Stewards should exercise their powers under Rule 123, it should be noted that neither D Whyte nor the connections of MILLION DARLING lodged a protest/objection. Z Purton was reprimanded and advised to ensure he makes every effort in future to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Throughout the race, KARBRIDGE travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Y T Cheng expressed some concern with the action of FRESH AIR. A veterinary inspection of FRESH AIR and KARBRIDGE after the race did not show any significant findings. FRESH AIR, CLASSIC NAVIGATOR and DESTINY’S CHILD were sent for sampling.