14/03/2012  Happy Valley  Race 2

LUCKY ARMY, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 13.3.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY ARMY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BROTHERS IN ARMS began awkwardly. SPEEDY WARRIOR began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of SONOFTHEWEST which shifted out after blundering at the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, HUA SHI was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BROTHERS IN ARMS when being shifted in across behind that runner. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, BROTHERS IN ARMS shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of TANG PALACE. Near the 600 Metres, HUA SHI was steadied away from the heels of GORGEOUS RULER which lost ground. Close to the finishing line, MASTER DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of NOBLE TWINS which shifted out. Also close to the finishing line, HUA SHI was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BROTHERS IN ARMS. For the majority of the race, MASTER DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M L Yeung (GORGEOUS RULER) said that passing the winning post on the first occasion his mount jumped a shadow on the track and became unbalanced. He said after this GORGEOUS RULER travelled satisfactorily until near the 600 Metres at which point the horse became badly unbalanced of its own accord and lost ground after shifting out towards the heels of TANG PALACE. He said he rode GORGEOUS RULER along after this to maintain its position, however, GORGEOUS RULER was travelling only fairly. He said rounding the Home Turn GORGEOUS RULER again became unbalanced and got its head down for a number of strides. He said after this happened he recommenced riding GORGEOUS RULER along, however, the horse did not finish off the race. He said after the race GORGEOUS RULER’s action appeared to be normal. A veterinary inspection of GORGEOUS RULER after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, GORGEOUS RULER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of O’REILLY MAGIC after the race did not show any significant findings. GORGEOUS RULER, CLASSA and HEALTHY CONTENDER were sent for sampling. <15/3/2012 Additional Veterinary Report> The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that SONOFTHEWEST was lame in the left front leg on the day after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SONOFTHEWEST will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.