18/05/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that WINE WIN and MR VIGOROUS had both lost their right front plates. Both plates were refitted. WINE WIN and MR VIGOROUS were examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion they were both suitable to race. WINE WIN began very awkwardly, resulting in its rider, Apprentice M L Yeung, becoming badly unbalanced in the saddle and being dislodged shortly after the start. Before being allowed to race again, WINE WIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. After the race, the Club’s medical officer reported that after being dislodged from WINE WIN, in his opinion, Apprentice Yeung temporarily lost consciousness. Acting under the provisions of Stewards’ Instruction 19(2), the Stewards ruled that Apprentice Yeung is not permitted to ride for a minimum period of 5 days. Prior to being permitted to ride again, Apprentice Yeung will be required to be cleared by the Club’s medical officers. SUNNY FAY was slow to begin. VERY WELL was checked at the start when crowded for room between REGENCY WINNER and NEW GLORY which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. Passing the 600 Metres, MR VIGOROUS shifted in and bumped IMPECCABLE. Rounding the Home Turn, O Doleuze (IMPECCABLE) dropped his whip. As this is the fifth occasion that O Doleuze had been found to have dropped his whip, he was fined the sum of $5,000. O Doleuze was further advised that should he offend again in a similar manner this season, the Stewards will impose a more severe penalty. Over the concluding stages, GROOVY (T Angland) shifted a considerable amount of ground under pressure and close to the finishing line made contact with EURO POWER, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. T Angland was severely reprimanded. He was advised that in assessing this matter, the Stewards were cognizant of the fact that he had only recently returned to riding due to injury. Throughout the race, MR VIGOROUS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUNNY FAY, B Prebble stated that he had been instructed to shift SUNNY FAY across behind runners from barrier 10 as it was felt that there would be good speed in the race. He said after shifting SUNNY FAY across towards the rail in the early stages, SUNNY FAY travelled satisfactorily, however, it was inclined to get its head on the side and lay out at various stages during the race. He added he placed SUNNY FAY under pressure after the 500 Metres, however, the horse did not respond to his riding as he thought it would. He said in the early part of the Straight he rode SUNNY FAY out, however, the horse shifted out under pressure and for this reason he put the whip away and rode it out hands and heels to the end of the race. He said, in his opinion, SUNNY FAY was disappointing tonight. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY FAY and IMPECCABLE after the race did not show any significant findings. IMPECCABLE, EURO POWER and GROOVY were sent for sampling.