28/03/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

EASY AHEAD was withdrawn on 27.3.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GOOD LUCK WIN (G Mossé). Before being allowed to race again, EASY AHEAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RAY’S FAVOURITE was difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, RAY’S FAVOURITE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. BRILLIANT CHARIOT and REDOUTE’S FORTUNE were slow to begin. From the outside barrier, HEI HEI POSH was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, REDOUTE’S FORTUNE raced tight between BRILLIANT CHARIOT and WAYFOONG GOVERNOR which itself was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PRIVATE ROAD. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, BEAUTIFUL SCENERY got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WAYFOONG GOVERNOR. Approaching the 1200 Metres, CHANCELLOR got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAY’S FAVOURITE. Near the 150 Metres, HONG KONG FAT was steadied away from the heels of CHANCELLOR (M Chadwick) which shifted out under pressure. M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. In the Straight, HEI HEI POSH got its head on the side and hung out and passing the 100 Metres shifted out towards the heels of REDOUTE’S FORTUNE, resulting in its rider, T Angland, having to stop riding and straighten. Throughout the race, PRIVATE ROAD travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. W M Lai (BRILLIANT CHARIOT) was fined a sum of $2,000 for raising his whip arm above shoulder height. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BREEZE OF LUCK, B Prebble stated that his mount was very slow to begin and lost a considerable amount of ground. He said he rode his mount along after the start in an endeavour to have it improve its position, however, BREEZE OF LUCK failed to muster speed. He said after the 1200 Metres BREEZE OF LUCK commenced to travel better and near the 1100 Metres had to be steadied away from the heels of BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. He said after this BREEZE OF LUCK did not travel well and did not stride out comfortably. He added at no stage of tonight’s race was BREEZE OF LUCK’s action fluent and despite being ridden along it did not respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of BREEZE OF LUCK after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BREEZE OF LUCK was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BREEZE OF LUCK will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BRILLIANT CHARIOT after the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was not able to be scoped. GOOD LUCK WIN and FAY’S FAVOURITE were sent for sampling.