30/11/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

MOUNT VICTORY was withdrawn on 29.11.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (tied up) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter EAGLE SPIRIT (Apprentice C Y Ho). SPANDAU BALLET was also withdrawn on 29.11.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left front tendon sheath) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter MARK GOOD (D Whyte). Before being allowed to race again, MOUNT VICTORY and SPANDAU BALLET will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SOLAR WONDER and GREAT SHOW bumped at the start. After this, despite being ridden along in the early stages, SOLAR WONDER was slow to muster speed. Near the 2100 Metres, MARK GOOD got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOLAR WONDER. Near the 1600 Metres, PROSPERITY, which was racing keenly, was shifted out away from the heels of SUPREME TYCOON which shifted in when barely clear. In the middle stages, SOLAR WONDER proved difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of EAGLE SPIRIT. Passing the 600 Metres, GREAT SHOW was checked away from the heels of MR MARFACH after improving to the inside of that horse where there was insufficient room. DALKAN, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT SHOW in consequence. Shortly after entering into the Straight, DALKAN was bumped by EAGLE SPIRIT which shifted in away from the heels of PROSPERITY. Apprentice Ho was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Throughout the race, WATCH FIRST travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of PROSPERITY after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SOLAR WONDER after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SOLAR WONDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EAGLE SPIRIT, MR MARFACH and SUPREME TYCOON were sent for sampling.