18/05/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

EMPIRE CITY was withdrawn on 16.5.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucopus in trachea on scoping) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUPREME TYCOON. Before being allowed to race again, EMPIRE CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, MEDIC FORTUNE lifted its front feet off the ground and then on landing knuckled over and consequently lost ground. Shortly after the start, MOON CHASER was buffeted for room between SUPREME TYCOON and SPARKLING which shifted out after being bumped by BLADE FORCE. Passing the 1300 Metres, SUPREME TYCOON shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MIRAGE R. After this, SUPREME TYCOON raced close to the heels of KOENIGSBERG and passing the 1200 Metres shifted in momentarily, resulting in REDOUTE’S FORTUNE being taken in onto MEDIC FORTUNE which was checked and lost ground. No further action was taken. Approaching the 1000 Metres, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE commenced to over-race and was checked away from the heels of MIRAGE R. Passing the 1000 Metres, MEDIC FORTUNE was momentarily crowded for room inside REDOUTE’S FORTUNE. Near the 900 Metres and again after the 800 Metres, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE got its head up when proving difficult to settle. In this incident, MEDIC FORTUNE, which was following REDOUTE’S FORTUNE, was hampered in consequence. AMAZING FORTUNE was held up for clear running until approaching the 200 Metres and then for some distance after the 100 Metres was unable to obtain clear running behind MOON CHASER which was giving ground. Approaching the 200 Metres, SUPREME TYCOON was steadied away from the heels of MIRAGE R which was bumped and taken wider by REDOUTE’S FORTUNE which shifted to the outside of KOENIGSBERG to obtain clear running. For some distance after the 150 Metres, SPARKLING (M Du Plessis) raced in restricted room inside BLADE FORCE which got its head on the side and shifted in and away from DYNAMIC CROSS. When changing his whip from his right hand into his left hand near the 50 Metres, the left arm of M Du Plessis extended away from his body and towards the body of M Chadwick (BLADE FORCE). M Du Plessis was warned against the practice of extending his arm away from his body. Also near the 50 Metres, BLADE FORCE was steadied away from the heels of DYNAMIC CROSS (Apprentice C Y Ho) which shifted in when not quite clear. Apprentice Ho was reprimanded and advised to make every effort to keep his mounts straight. For the majority of the race, KOENIGSBERG travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of MOON CHASER after the race revealed that the horse was lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, MOON CHASER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME TYCOON after the race did not show any significant findings. MOON CHASER, DYNAMIC CROSS and REDOUTE’S FORTUNE were sent for sampling.