19/06/2013  Happy Valley  Race 5

NOBLE BOY was withdrawn on 17.6.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter EMPEROR CLAUDIUS. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE BOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being bumped by RIDE WITH THE WIDE at the start, COOL BEAN shifted out, resulting in HO HO LIFE being taken out onto FORGIVE AND FORGET which was steadied when crowded for room inside SUPER STRIKE. Passing the 600 Metres, HO HO LIFE shifted in momentarily and bumped COOL BEAN. For some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres, FORGIVE AND FORGET was unable to improve when taken back through the field by HEAR THE ROAR which was giving ground abruptly. When FORGIVE AND FORGET shifted out approaching the 400 Metres to improve around HEAR THE ROAR, SUPER STRIKE was inconvenienced when unable to continue improving between that horse and WAYFOONG EXPRESS. Passing the 300 Metres, HO HO LIFE got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in its rider, T Angland, changing his whip into his right hand. After the race, W C Marwing reported that HEAR THE ROAR made an abnormal breathing noise during the race. A veterinary inspection of HEAR THE ROAR immediately following the race confirmed the horse to be a “roarer”. The performance of HEAR THE ROAR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HEAR THE ROAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WAYFOONG EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EMPEROR CLAUDIUS and COOL BEAN were sent for sampling.