10/07/2013  Happy Valley  Race 1

PERFECT JOY, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 9.7.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT JOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The crossed nose band applied to MEGA came loose after that horse was loaded into the barriers. MEGA was removed from the barriers and attempts were made to re-apply the crossed nose band to MEGA. When the crossed nose band was unable to be fitted to MEGA, the Stewards approved for the horse to race without that piece of gear in tonight’s race. FIRST CLASS was slow to begin. FUN FASTER shifted out at the start and bumped FORTUNE TERRITORY which as a consequence shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of WINSOME. After this, despite being ridden along in the early stages, FORTUNE TERRITORY failed to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, FORTUNE TERRITORY, which was continuing to be vigorously ridden along, got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of WEALTH PARK which shifted in slightly. This resulted in FORTUNE TERRITORY being awkwardly placed. At the 1000 Metres, FUN FASTER became badly unbalanced after being crowded for room inside WINSOME which, after initially getting its head on the side and shifting in slightly, was taken in by MEGA which was in turn taken in by TAKE THE RAP which at this time got its head on the side and hung in away from YOUNG SUPREME. For some distance after this, FUN FASTER continued to race in restricted room inside WINSOME which was racing tight inside MEGA which, when being steadied to allow YOUNG SUPREME to cross, got its head up and raced keenly. As the Stewards were satisfied that TAKE THE RAP had been the primary cause of this incident due to it hanging in, no further action was taken. Passing the 600 Metres, WINSOME was badly crowded for room between FUN FASTER and TAKE THE RAP which again got its head on the side and hung in across the heels of MEGA. In this incident, FUN FASTER became badly unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by WINSOME. SHANGHAI PIONEER, which was following, was hampered in consequence. As this was the second occasion during the race that TAKE THE RAP had caused interference due to hanging in, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, TAKE THE RAP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend. For some distance passing the 100 Metres, EMPIRE CITY was checked when held up for clear running behind MEGA and WINSOME. EMPIRE CITY was then not able to obtain clear running for the remainder of the race and consequently was not tested. Over the concluding stages, MEGA raced tight between WEALTH PARK and WINSOME which was taken in by SHANGHAI PIONEER which hung in under pressure. For the majority of the race, TAKE THE RAP travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE TERRITORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINSOME, YOUNG SUPREME and SHANGHAI PIONEER were sent for sampling.