28/12/2012  Happy Valley  Race 6

Shortly after the start, NOBLE BOY and MY HOME TOWN were crowded for room between ZACHARY which shifted out and GAMEKEEPERS which shifted in after initially being directed in by HORSE APLENTY. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, GREAT RENOWN got its head on the side and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GALAXY PRANCER. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, GALAXY PRANCER became unbalanced. A short distance later, GALAXY PRANCER shifted out and bumped YUE LU TREASURE, resulting in GOLDEN TREASURE being momentarily crowded for room inside GAMEKEEPERS. Then near the 1300 Metres, GALAXY PRANCER got its head up when being checked away from the heels of ZACHARY (Z Purton) which shifted in when only just clear. Z Purton was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 1100 Metres, JOLLY FINE commenced to prove very difficult to settle and had to be severely checked away from the heels of YUE LU TREASURE. When being checked away from the heels of YUE LU TREASURE, JOLLY FINE shifted in and crowded the racing room of NOBLE BOY. After this, JOLLY FINE continued to prove difficult to settle and after the 1000 Metres got its head up when being checked away from the heels of YUE LU TREASURE. For some distance after the 600 Metres, NOBLE BOY raced tight inside YUE LU TREASURE which shifted marginally when being ridden along. Rounding the Home Turn, NOBLE BOY again raced tight inside YUE LU TREASURE. Near the 250 Metres, GALAXY PRANCER was shifted in away from the heels of HORSE APLENTY to continue improving. Throughout the race, MAGNUMOUS travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, C W Wong (YUE LU TREASURE) stated that approaching the 1200 Metres he was taken out slightly by GALAXY PRANCER which shifted away from the fence. He said he continued to maintain his position to the outside of the hindquarters of that horse until after passing the 1200 Metres, however, at this time GALAXY PRANCER again shifted away from the fence. He said as he felt that there was a strong possibility that GALAXY PRANCER would shift out into a position one horse off the fence, he elected not to maintain his position to the outside of that horse to prevent YUE LU TREASURE being taken in to a position three wide. He added that when GALAXY PRANCER shifted back to the fence approaching the 1100 Metres, this allowed the opportunity for MY HOME TOWN to shift in in front of YUE LU TREASURE. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ZACHARY, Z Purton stated that after racing in a good position throughout the race behind the leader, SLICK BULLET, ZACHARY came under pressure to maintain its position behind that horse approaching the 600 Metres. He said he had to commence riding ZACHARY along prior to the Home Turn as the horse was not picking up as well as he expected and then when placed under full pressure in the Straight was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding. He added that he had ridden ZACHARY in some of its track work in the lead up to tonight’s race and, in his opinion, that work had been very good. He said based on the manner in which ZACHARY had worked in the lead up to tonight’s race, he felt the horse would be a strong chance in the race. A veterinary inspection of ZACHARY after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN TREASURE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. The performance of GOLDEN TREASURE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GALAXY PRANCER and GREAT RENOWN were sent for sampling.