28/09/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

After being loaded, TUSCAN SPIRIT became fractious, reared up and then sat down. TUSCAN SPIRIT was removed from the stalls and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, TUSCAN SPIRIT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. CHARITY SPIRIT and MAJESTIC FALCON were slow to begin. Soon after the start, SUPER BOY was steadied when crowded for room between KING MOSSMAN and ROMANTIC CITY which shifted in slightly. Near the 600 Metres, ROMANTIC CITY changed stride, became unbalanced and bumped the hindquarters of GOOD BOY BOY. As a consequence, ROMANTIC CITY then struck the running rail. Also, GOOD BOY BOY became badly unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in AT MOMENT IN TIME being obliged to shift out abruptly to avoid the heels of that horse. KING MOSSMAN, which was following, was severely hampered, shifted in and made contact with AMEDEO. As there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Following this incident, GOOD BOY BOY and AT MOMENT IN TIME were obliged to race wide and without cover. K C Leung reported that after becoming badly unbalanced on the first turn, GOOD BOY BOY hung in for the remainder of the race and proved difficult to ride. Soon after straightening, KING MOSSMAN was directed to the outside of the heels of AMEDEO which shifted in. SUPER BOY and GOLDEN BAUHINIA were badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, KING MOSSMAN was severely checked when tightened for room between GOOD BOY BOY which shifted in before being straightened by its rider, K C Leung, and AMEDEO (B Doyle) which shifted out. MAJESTIC FALCON, which was following, was steadied in consequence when held up behind KING MOSSMAN. K C Leung was severely reprimanded and advised that he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. B Doyle was also advised to make more of an effort to keep his mounts on a straight course. Inside the 100 Metres, KING MOSSMAN was again severely checked when tightened for room between SUPER BOY which shifted out around the heels of GOOD BOY BOY to obtain clear running and MAJESTIC FALCON which, after initially being taken in slightly by BOULD MOVER, then improved to be racing inside the heels of AT MOMENT IN TIME which was commencing to give ground. In this incident, MAJESTIC FALCON was also severely checked and as a consequence was not ridden out to the end of the race. Over the concluding stages, GOLDEN BAUHINIA was held up for clear running behind CHARITY SPIRIT which shifted in slightly. Because of this, GOLDEN BAUHINIA was not ridden out to the end of the race. Also over the concluding stages, GOOD BOY BOY made contact with the hindquarters of AMEDEO, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. A veterinary inspection of ROMANTIC CITY after the race revealed that the horse was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of KING MOSSMAN, AMEDEO and GOOD BOY BOY after the race did not show any significant findings. KING MOSSMAN, FLYING COLOURS and CHARITY SPIRIT were sent for sampling.