04/07/2013  Happy Valley  Race 5

PANTHER RUN was withdrawn on 2.7.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left front leg) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter COMPACT YARN. Before being allowed to race again, PANTHER RUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, Jockey T Angland (EURO SWIFTLY) expressed concern over the horse’s action. EURO SWIFTLY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that after the necessary consultations the horse was suitable to race. After being loaded, SOLDIER became very fractious and reared on two occasions. A veterinary inspection of SOLDIER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Having regard to SOLDIER’S prior record in respect of barrier manners, the Stewards ruled that the horse will be required to undergo a series of consecutive satisfactory official barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. WIN IT began awkwardly. After racing tight outside BRAVE BROTHER and making contact with that horse, EASY GOLD was checked shortly after the start when crowded for room between BRAVE BROTHER which shifted out after becoming unbalanced and RAY’S FAVOURITE which shifted in. Shortly after the start, VERY WELL, which was being taken across behind runners, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of TELECOM CHIEF which shifted out after being bumped by BEAUTY KING which was taken out by SOLAR DRAGON. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, both SOLDIER and COMPACT YARN failed to muster speed. Approaching the 1200 Metres, SOLAR DRAGON got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RAY’S FAVOURITE. After the 1200 Metres, RAY’S FAVOURITE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 1100 Metres, SOLDIER was severely checked and blundered when crowded for room between EASY GOLD and SOLAR DRAGON (C K Tong) which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. In this incident, SOLDIER made contact with the hindquarters of EASY GOLD which became unbalanced. VERY WELL, which was following SOLDIER, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 500 Metres, VERY WELL was checked away from the heels of WIN IT. Passing the 500 Metres, COMPACT YARN was taken wider after being bumped by WIN IT which, after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of TELECOM CHIEF which was giving ground, was shifted to the outside of that horse. Making the Home Turn, TELECOM CHIEF, which was continuing to give ground, became unbalanced after being bumped by WIN IT. BRAVE BROTHER hung out making the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. The Veterinary Officer advised that on pulling up BRAVE BROTHER was noted to be making a significant abnormal respiratory noise which indicated a dorsal displaced soft palate. An endoscopic examination of BRAVE BROTHER did not reveal any significant findings. BRAVE BROTHER, DILIGENT III and EURO SWIFTLY were sent for sampling.