06/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

YOUNG HERO was withdrawn on 5.4.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TOP DRAGON (Apprentice M L Yeung). SURROUNDED was withdrawn prior to Race 1 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left hip laceration and cut to left front leg). Before being allowed to race again, YOUNG HERO and SURROUNDED will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NOBLE FLIER blundered at the start and shortly after this became badly unbalanced when bumped heavily by TOP DRAGON which shifted in. NOBLE FLIER then shifted in, resulting in MACASSAR, which also began awkwardly, being hampered. Passing the 1500 Metres, KING OF FISH II momentarily raced in restricted room between BRILLIANT CHARIOT and KING ON EARTH which shifted in. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ZEPHYRUS, which was being ridden along in an attempt to obtain a position to the outside of KING OF FISH II, was checked when disappointed for running between that horse which shifted out slightly and SUPREME TYCOON (D Whyte) which shifted in. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards were not comfortably satisfied that ZEPHYRUS had properly established running to the outside of KING OF FISH II, he was to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in future. In this incident, MACASSAR, which was racing to the inside of ZEPHYRUS, was crowded for room. Approaching the 1000 Metres, KING OF FISH II and SUPREME TYCOON bumped. When the pace steadied after the 1000 Metres, KOENIGSBERG was steadied away from the heels of TOUT VA BIEN. KING ON EARTH and SUPREME TYCOON, which were following, also proved difficult to settle at this stage and were hampered. At the entrance to the Straight, KOENIGSBERG and BRILLIANT CHARIOT made contact as BRILLIANT CHARIOT shifted out to obtain clear running. Then near the 150 Metres, BRILLIANT CHARIOT and KOENIGSBERG raced tight. Near the 100 Metres, SUPREME TYCOON, which was commencing to weaken, was steadied away from the heels of CLASSA which shifted in. Near the 50 Metres, MACASSAR was inconvenienced by KING ON EARTH (H W Lai) which shifted in. In this incident, MACASSAR was struck across the nose by the whip of H W Lai. Also near the 50 Metres, ZEPHYRUS was shifted out away from the heels of CLASSA. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NOBLE FLIER had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME TYCOON after the race did not show any significant findings. KING ON EARTH, KOENIGSBERG and BRILLIANT CHARIOT were sent for sampling. <7/4/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that TOP DRAGON was lame in its right front leg and had sustained a wound to the outside of the right front splint on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, TOP DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.