18/01/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

As the start was effected, GOLD WINNER lifted its front feet off the ground and was slow to begin. GOLD WINNER then bumped with SUPERIOR WARRIOR shortly after the start, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. DANEWIN TIGER was bumped shortly after the start by TEAM WORK which shifted out after being bumped by VITAL SMART which also shifted out. After the 900 Metres, KING ON EARTH got its head up when reluctant to maintain its position inside TEAM WORK. After the 600 Metres, STAR OF FAME shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TAKE THE RAP and in doing so made contact with LONGWAH KID. KING ON EARTH, which was following STAR OF FAME, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of that horse. For some distance after the 200 Metres, DANEWIN TIGER and TEAM WORK raced tight. Near the 100 Metres, VITAL SMART was inconvenienced when crowded for room between TAKE THE RAP and STAR OF FAME which shifted in after having difficulty securing clear running. In the Straight, KING ON EARTH hung in badly and because of this was not able to be properly tested. The performance of KING ON EARTH was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KING ON EARTH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend. A veterinary inspection of TELECOM SUPER STAR after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also that it was lame in the right front leg. The performance of TELECOM SUPER STAR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM SUPER STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. M Guyon (TEAM WORK) was warned against the practice of hitting his mounts down the shoulder with the whip in the forehand manner. When questioned, B Prebble stated that as DANEWIN TIGER’s form in the lead up to tonight’s race had been only fair, it had been decided to ride the horse quietly as it was expected that tonight’s race would be run at a good tempo. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GOLD WINNER, Apprentice K C Ng stated that after being slow to begin, he had to ride GOLD WINNER along in the early and middle stages to take up a forward position and close to the fence. He said he believed the amount of use he had to make of GOLD WINNER was the principal reason for its failure in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of GOLD WINNER after the race did not show any significant findings. GOLD WINNER, LONGWAH KID and TEAM WORK were sent for sampling.