06/11/2013  Happy Valley  Race 1

On arrival at the barriers, the Veterinary Officer reported that CHANTILLY was lame in its left front leg and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of CHANTILLY. Before being allowed to race again, CHANTILLY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VIVA GUY began very awkwardly and shortly after the start became unbalanced when bumped by GOLD FORTUNE which was taken in by TOP POWER. After being bumped by SUPREME TYCOON which shifted out at the start, NOSTALGIA then got its head on the side and shifted out away from that horse, resulting in SECRETARY OF STATE and YUAN’S FORTUNE being hampered. After this, from wide barriers, SECRETARY OF STATE and YUAN’S FORTUNE were taken across behind runners. KENSWORTH KID and STARLIT WARRIOR bumped at the start. Making the first turn near the 2000 Metres, VIVA GUY raced tight inside STARLIT WARRIOR. Near the 1800 Metres, HORSESHOE FORTUNE got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied away from the heels of TOP POWER. Also near the 1800 Metres, SUPREME TYCOON lost its right hind plate. For some distance near the 1600 Metres, SECRETARY OF STATE and VIVA GUY raced tight. For some distance after the 800 Metres, VIVA GUY and YUAN’S FORTUNE made contact on a number of occasions as VIVA GUY attempted to shift out from behind STARLIT WARRIOR and YUAN’S FORTUNE was ridden along to maintain its position behind SECRETARY OF STATE. Because of this, both VIVA GUY and YUAN’S FORTUNE became unbalanced on a number of occasions. Then near the 650 Metres, YUAN’S FORTUNE and VIVA GUY again bumped and became unbalanced as a result of VIVA GUY (N Callan) attempting to shift to the outside of STARLIT WARRIOR where there was insufficient room. For this incident, N Callan was reprimanded for making unnecessary contact with YUAN’S FORTUNE and advised that whilst the Stewards encourage competitive riding, nonetheless he must ride his mounts in such a manner so as to avoid causing interference to other runners. Rounding the Home Turn, HORSESHOE FORTUNE and GOLD FORTUNE raced tight. In the early part of the Straight, STARLIT WARRIOR was held up after being disappointed for clear running between GOLD FORTUNE and SECRETARY OF STATE. STARLIT WARRIOR then had difficulty obtaining clear running until the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be fully tested. Near the 200 Metres, VIVA GUY was momentarily inconvenienced when shifted out across the heels of YUAN’S FORTUNE which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly under pressure. Whilst the Stewards did not post an inquiry signal prior to the declaration of weighed-in, they viewed an incident over the concluding stages involving SUPREME TYCOON and YOUNG HERO. The Stewards found that over the concluding stages SUPREME TYCOON raced tight inside YOUNG HERO which got its head on the side and shifted in marginally. Having in mind the relative positions of the two horses over the final 200 Metres and where the incident occurred in proximity to the winning post, the Stewards decided not to proceed with a formal protest/objection hearing. Whilst it did not have any bearing on the Stewards’ decision, C Y Ho, the rider of SUPREME TYCOON, did not lodge a protest/objection against YOUNG HERO. When questioned regarding the improved performance of GOLD FORTUNE, Trainer P O’Sullivan stated that the horse was only having its second start for his stable tonight. He said at its last run GOLD FORTUNE lost a significant amount of ground at the start which negated its chances in that race. He said because of the amount of ground that GOLD FORTUNE lost at the start, it was required to barrier trial which it did on 29 October 2013. He said on that occasion GOLD FORTUNE, in his opinion, trialed only fairly. He added the only reason that he could offer for the improvement in performance was that as GOLD FORTUNE is very one-paced, the step-up to 2200 Metres, a distance the horse had not previously attempted before, was to its advantage. He said nonetheless GOLD FORTUNE’s win tonight was unexpected. A veterinary inspection of KENSWORTH KID immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STARLIT WARRIOR, GOLD FORTUNE and YUAN’S FORTUNE were sent for sampling.