30/05/2012  Happy Valley  Race 7

IMPERIAL ROME and TURF MAGIC were slow to begin. SHIBALA and GOLD EDITION bumped at the start. A short distance later, SHIBALA was crowded for room between GOLD EDITION and LOVING ALL, both of which shifted ground. Near the 1100 Metres, BOULD MOVER and MR AWARD bumped, resulting in BOULD MOVER shifting in and causing RED LUCKY STAR to be steadied away from the heels of that horse. After passing the 1100 Metres, DR SUPER got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly, making contact with GOLD EDITION, causing that horse to become unbalanced. Near the 800 Metres, SHIBALA was steadied away from the heels of MY GOAL. At the entrance to the Straight, RED LUCKY STAR was steadied and shifted to the inside of MR AWARD when disappointed for running between that horse and MY GOAL. Throughout the race, MY GOAL travelled wide and without cover. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the Stewards received a report from the Starter, Mr T McGovern, that at the time that he activated the warning lights positioned on the Starter’s rostrum to alert riders and barrier attendants that the start was soon to be effected, the start was effected simultaneously. The Stewards considered the starts of all runners and, after receiving reports from all riders immediately following the race, ascertained that the only horse affected by the premature release of the starting gates was GENE POWER (T Clark) which at the time the gates were released still had a blindfold applied to it. T Clark confirmed that when the gates were released, GENE POWER still had the blindfold applied and because of the delay in removing the blindfold, the horse lost a considerable amount of ground. As the Stewards were of the opinion that GENE POWER had not been afforded a fair start, that horse was deemed to be a non-runner acting the powers of Rule of Racing 12(19). The Stewards deemed that all other runners had been afforded a fair start. Prior to the running of the final event, the starting mechanism was tested on a number of occasions. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BOULD MOVER, M Chadwick stated that unlike at its most recent start when the horse was able to lead comfortably, the pace of tonight’s race was faster and for this reason BOULD MOVER would not have been able to lead tonight’s race without having considerable use made of it. He said BOULD MOVER came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. He said the principal reason for the disappointing performance was the different circumstances between the horse’s most recent start and tonight’s race. When questioned regarding the performance of MR AWARD, T H So stated that the horse was up in grade and was meeting much stronger opposition tonight than had been the case in its previous starts. He said MR AWARD travelled satisfactorily until prior to the Home Turn, however, quickly came under pressure and weakened in the Straight. He added that tonight’s race was run at a significantly faster tempo than those which the horse has previously been competing in. A veterinary inspection of BOULD MOVER, GOLD EDITION and MR AWARD after the race did not show any significant findings. IMPERIAL ROME and SEA THE PEARLS were sent for sampling.