23/01/2013  Happy Valley  Race 4

At declaration time, O Doleuze was declared as the rider of both GOOD FELLOW and CARE FREE PEGASUS. It was established that O Doleuze had a firm commitment to ride CARE FREE PEGASUS. As such, the Stewards permitted D Whyte to be substituted as the rider of GOOD FELLOW. For this declaration error, Trainer R Gibson was fined $2,000. SNITZEL KID was withdrawn on 22.1.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TOM’S EIGHTH (G Mossé). Before being allowed to race again, SNITZEL KID will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VIVA GUY became unbalanced when bumped shortly after the start by RAY’S FAVOURITE which shifted out after being bumped by BILLION. Also shortly after the start, CARE FREE PEGASUS momentarily raced tight between TWIN TURBO and PERFECT MOMENT which shifted in. From a wide barrier, OPTIMIZATION STAR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, PERFECT MOMENT blundered when crowded for room between TWIN TURBO and EMPIRE CITY, both of which shifted minimal ground. GOOD FELLOW, which was following, was hampered in consequence. No further action was taken. In the early part of the Straight, PERFECT MOMENT had difficulty obtaining clear running between TWIN TURBO and EMPIRE CITY. Near the 200 Metres, APPROVE was shifted to the inside of the heels of TOM’S EIGHTH when bumped by CARE FREE PEGASUS which itself became unbalanced when bumped by RAY’S FAVOURITE (C K Tong). C K Tong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes more effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mount from shifting ground. Near the 100 Metres, TOM’S EIGHTH became unbalanced and lost ground after being heavily bumped by APPROVE (W C Marwing) which, when being ridden out, got its head on the side and shifted out. W C Marwing was severely reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. Approaching the 50 Metres, OPTIMIZATION STAR was shifted out away from the heels of TOM’S EIGHTH and then after the 50 Metres momentarily raced in restricted room between RAY’S FAVOURITE and TOM’S EIGHTH which shifted out slightly. Throughout the race, EMPIRE CITY travelled wide and without cover. Apprentice K C Ng (BILLION) was spoken to regarding raising his whip arm above shoulder height in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY MANNER after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EMPIRE CITY after the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped. CARE FREE PEGASUS and APPROVE were sent for sampling.