29/05/2013  Happy Valley  Race 3

ELEPHANT MAGIC was withdrawn on 28.5.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter YOU ARE THE ONE (T Berry). Before being allowed to race again, ELEPHANT MAGIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HIGH SPEED METRO and AMAZING ALWAYS were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, BRAVE BROTHER raced tight between GOOD HONG KONG and BRIGHT STAR which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, BEAR ELITE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOU ARE THE ONE. After the 900 Metres, MASTER RIO was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, BRAVE BROTHER got its head on the side and lost ground after shifting out towards the heels of CREATIVE UNION. At the 300 Metres, CREATIVE UNION was shifted in when disappointed for running between WHAT A HEART and BRIGHT STAR which shifted in. CREATIVE UNION then had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, HIGH SPEED METRO got its head on the side and shifted in. After this, HIGH SPEED METRO raced greenly and shifted ground on a number of occasions. After the 200 Metres, GOOD HONG KONG got its head on the side, shifted in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Over the final 60 Metres, BRAVE BROTHER was unable to be tested when held up for clear running behind YOU ARE THE ONE and inside RISING POWER. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BRIGHT STAR, Z Purton stated that he had been asked to ride the horse in a position in front of midfield. He said when RISING POWER and CREATIVE UNION maintained their positions to his inside in the early stages, he had to make more use of BRIGHT STAR than had been hoped, however, his mount was able to get into a good position passing the 1000 Metres. He said after this BRIGHT STAR did not travel comfortably, however, the horse had travelled in a similar manner when he had ridden it in the past. He added rounding the Home Turn BRIGHT STAR was inclined to lay out under pressure and then shifted ground inwards shortly after entering the Straight. He said BRIGHT STAR then came under pressure and despite being ridden out did not finish off its race. A veterinary inspection of BRIGHT STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that, from barrier 11, he had been asked to ride MULTIEXPRESS positively in the early stages and attempt to obtain a forward position if possible. He said he was told if MULTIEXPRESS did not have sufficient speed from the wide draw, he should try and obtain cover. He said MULTIEXPRESS stumbled at the start and then was crowded for room between WHAT A HEART and MASTER RIO which shifted out. He said he rode MULTIEXPRESS along after this, however, the horse did not show any early speed, therefore he elected to take MULTIEXPRESS across behind runners and obtain a position with cover behind MASTER RIO. He added MULTIEXPRESS came under pressure after the 900 Metres to hold its position and despite being vigorously ridden along the Back Straight did not respond to his riding and did not stretch out. He said he continued to ride MULTIEXPRESS along for the remainder of the race, however, the further the race progressed, the more ground MULTIEXPRESS gave. He said whilst MULTIEXPRESS’ action was not of concern during the race, the horse did stumble on a number of occasions when being pulled up after the race. He added however that, in his opinion, MULTIEXPRESS returned to the Parade Ring sound. A veterinary inspection of MULTIEXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Trainer A S Cruz stated that MULTIEXPRESS had pleased him in the lead up to tonight’s race and felt that whilst the Veterinary Officer was unable to detect any significant findings with the horse immediately after the race, he was of the opinion that the performance of MULTIEXPRESS indicated that the horse may have some problem which may manifest itself in the days subsequent to the race. The performance of MULTIEXPRESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MULTIEXPRESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BRAVE BROTHER had lost its left front plate. CREATIVE UNION, YOU ARE THE ONE and GOOD HONG KONG were sent for sampling.