06/07/2011  Happy Valley  Race 3

CONFUCIUS CLASSIC was withdrawn on 5.7.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter EN MASSE (D Beadman). Before being allowed to race again, CONFUCIUS CLASSIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY RECORD and GRANDFIELD were slow to begin. From a wide barrier, SMART CHOICE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along aggressively in the early stages, SUPER CAGA failed to muster speed and then throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. At the 1000 Metres, EN MASSE was severely checked when badly crowded for room between RACING LEGEND which made the first turn awkwardly and shifted out and MY TIME which got its head on the side and shifted in away from MULTIPROUD which itself shifted in slightly. GRANDFIELD, which was following, was hampered in consequence. As there was no rider carelessness involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Near the 650 Metres, OYSTER shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TRACK LIGHTNING, resulting in RACING LEGEND being momentarily crowded for room. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, RACING LEGEND became unbalanced when racing tight to the inside of OYSTER. Near the 300 Metres, LUCKY RECORD was shifted out across the heels of SUPER CAGA to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, EN MASSE was crowded for room between MULTIPROUD and MY TIME which got its head on the side and shifted out and away from LUCKY RECORD which itself shifted out under pressure. EN MASSE then had difficulty obtaining clear running between MY TIME and MULTIPROUD for some distance after this. A veterinary inspection of MY TIME and EN MASSE after the race did not show any significant findings. CHATER POWER, OYSTER and TRACK LIGHTNING were sent for sampling.