07/12/2011  Happy Valley  Race 5

GREEN ZONE was withdrawn on 6.12.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucopus in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GOLDEN BAUHINIA (C W Wong). Before being allowed to race again, GREEN ZONE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From a wide barrier, TAKE THE RAP was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, RARE TREASURE failed to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. Near the 500 Metres, CLEARLY SILVER, which was commencing to give ground, got its head on the side and shifted in momentarily. FRIENDS OF YAN OI, which was racing inside CLEARLY SILVER, got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse after initially being taken in slightly which resulted in FRIENDS OF YAN OI shifting in across the rightful running of GOLDEN BAUHINIA which was severely checked. TAKE THE RAP, which was following GOLDEN BAUHINIA, was also severely checked in consequence. As the Stewards formed the opinion that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, RARE TREASURE was held up for clear running behind CLEARLY SILVER and inside MR VIGOROUS, both of which were giving ground. Throughout the race, MR VIGOROUS travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performance of MR VIGOROUS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MR VIGOROUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ELUSIVE PRINCE, REGENCY LUCK and ELITE FORTUNE were sent for sampling.