17/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 5

After being loaded, RIDE ON THE FIRE became fractious and broke open the front gates after lunging forward, resulting in G Cheyne being dislodged. After this, RIDE ON THE FIRE completed a circuit of the course riderless. RIDE ON THE FIRE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of RIDE ON THE FIRE. Before being allowed to race again, RIDE ON THE FIRE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When RIDE ON THE FIRE broke through the front gates, both GOOD BOY BOY and RARE TREASURE became fractious and also lunged forward, resulting in the front gates opening. However, GOOD BOY BOY and RARE TREASURE remained in the barriers. Before being allowed to race again, GOOD BOY BOY and RARE TREASURE will both be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. When RIDE ON THE FIRE became loose, the field was withdrawn from the barriers. When parading behind the barriers on the second occasion, B Prebble expressed concern with GOOD BOY BOY’s action as it had made heavy contact with the front gates after becoming fractious. GOOD BOY BOY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. JUN DAO was slow to begin. SPACE RACE and SUPER HURRICANE began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, SUPER HURRICANE was steadied away from the heels of SPACE RACE which was taken out by RARE TREASURE. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SHINING TRIUMPH brushed the running rail after getting its head on the side and shifting in away from SPACE RACE of its own accord. After this, SHINING TRIUMPH shifted out and was awkwardly placed for a number of strides inside the heels of SPACE RACE which also at this time got its head on the side and shifted in slightly. Passing the 600 Metres, INVINCIBLEKINDNESS was checked away from the heels of RARE TREASURE. Over the concluding stages, INVINCIBLEKINDNESS and LUCKY RED brushed as INVINCIBLEKINDNESS shifted to the outside of SPACE RACE which got its head on the side and shifted out. Throughout the race, LUCKY RED travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been instructed to ride SURFER BOY behind midfield over the 1000 Metres. He said for this reason although the opportunity was available for him to position SURFER BOY to the outside of JUN DAO near the 800 Metres, he elected to allow RARE TREASURE to shift in to obtain this position rather than make use of SURFER BOY to maintain a more forward position. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that RARE TREASURE had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of RARE TREASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD BOY BOY and GOLDEN BAUHINIA were sent for sampling.