28/12/2012  Happy Valley  Race 1

PRECISION MAGIC, which proved reluctant to proceed to the Start after entering the track, became fractious, resulting in its rider, T Clark, being dislodged. PRECISION MAGIC then completed a circuit of the track riderless. After being recaptured, PRECISION MAGIC was taken to the Start and examined by the Veterinary Officers who, after the necessary consultations, found it suitable to race. SILENT DEMAND and MASTER RACER bumped heavily at the start. CASA JUNIOR began awkwardly and shortly after the start became badly unbalanced when crowded for room between NICKU and PRECISION MAGIC which shifted out. WATCH FIRST was crowded for room at the start between DYNAMIC CROSS and GOOD LOOKING WATCH, both of which shifted ground. After this, GOOD LOOKING WATCH was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed. Shortly after the start, POLYGOLD was steadied away from the heels of FASTALOT when bumped by LUCKY CHEVALIER. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, NICKU got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FASTALOT (N Callan) which, after initially being clear to cross NICKU, was then steadied by its rider as it was shifting in. In this incident, NICKU shifted in and bumped CASA JUNIOR which became unbalanced. N Callan was advised to exercise greater care in future. Near the 1300 Metres, POLYGOLD and PRECISION MAGIC raced tight. Near the 800 Metres, POLYGOLD, which had been ridden along for some distance to maintain its position, lost ground when momentarily crowded for room inside EAST OCEAN (U Rispoli) which shifted in slightly before being shifted back out to relieve the tightening to POLYGOLD. Having in mind the circumstances of this incident, the Stewards felt it appropriate to severely reprimand U Rispoli and advise him to ensure that, wherever possible, he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in future. EAST OCEAN was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and was shifted in across the heels of FASTALOT to obtain clear running. WATCH FIRST had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 200 Metres was shifted out to obtain clear running. After this, WATCH FIRST lay in under pressure and over the concluding stages was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY CHEVALIER. Near the 250 Metres, FASTALOT and MASTER RACER, which were giving ground, bumped. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident had occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether NICKU should be declared the winner. The Stewards found that close to the finishing line NICKU shifted out under pressure and bumped LUCKY CHEVALIER (Z Purton). Having in mind the proximity of the incident to the winning post and the neck margin between the two horses, the Stewards did not believe that the contact had any bearing on the finishing positions of the horses at the end of the race and accordingly weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. Whilst it did not have any bearing on the decision of the Stewards in respect of the incident, Z Purton did not lodge a protest/objection. A veterinary inspection of GOOD LOOKING WATCH after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, GOOD LOOKING WATCH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CASA JUNIOR, NICKU and LUCKY CHEVALIER were sent for sampling.