20/02/2013  Happy Valley  Race 2

COSMO ONE was withdrawn on 19.2.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DARK SECRET (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, COSMO ONE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, DARK SECRET, YOUNG HAPPY and FRIENDS SUPPORT were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. For some distance approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SHARP PRINT was steadied away from the heels of KINGSTON ELITE (M Chadwick) which shifted in when not properly clear. M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. In this incident, SHARP PRINT shifted in and bumped RAINBOW SEEKER. At the 1000 Metres, DARK SECRET became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room inside SHARP PRINT which shifted in marginally. Near the 900 Metres, FLORA DANICA shifted in abruptly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of KINGSTON ELITE which resulted in SHARP PRINT becoming unbalanced when crowded for room. Near the 850 Metres, SILENT DEMAND got its head up and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MEGA CASTLE. Close to the finishing line, DARK SECRET raced tight inside SHARP PRINT which shifted in away from the heels of YOUNG SUPREME which shifted in under pressure. Because of this, SHARP PRINT and DARK SECRET were not ridden right out to the end of the race as they normally would be. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DYNAMIC CROSS, K C Leung stated that he had to make slightly more use of the horse than he did at its last start when it was successful due to DYNAMIC CROSS beginning awkwardly tonight. He said at its last start the horse settled well for him in the lead and he was able to control the tempo of the race until YOUNG SUPREME improved to his outside passing the 700 Metres. He said tonight DYNAMIC CROSS proved difficult to settle in the lead and would not relax until after the 900 Metres. He said he placed DYNAMIC CROSS under pressure at the 500 Metres, however, it did not respond to his riding as it did at its last start and, in his opinion, the reason for this was the fact that the horse travelled keenly in the middle stages. He said although his saddle shifted back slightly in the early stages, this did not present him with any difficulties throughout the race. He added that he had ridden DYNAMIC CROSS in the track work in the lead up to tonight’s race and, in his opinion, that work was as good as it was prior to the horse’s most recent start. A veterinary inspection of DYNAMIC CROSS after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DYNAMIC CROSS, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DYNAMIC CROSS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KINGSTON ELITE, O’REILLY MAGIC and YOUNG HAPPY were sent for sampling.