08/01/2014  Happy Valley  Race 4

GREAT RENOWN was withdrawn on 7.1.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINNING MASCOT (T Angland). Before being allowed to race again, GREAT RENOWN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TAI PO FORTUNE, which began awkwardly, was badly crowded for room at the start between MALHECHOR GOLD which shifted out slightly and GOLDEN ADDICTION which shifted in abruptly. After this, TAI PO FORTUNE was taken across behind runners. EXPECTATOR shifted out at the start and bumped OXFORD CHARLEY which became unbalanced. From the outside barrier, WINNING MASCOT was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1000 Metres, EXPECTATOR was steadied away from the heels of FULL OF FUN. After the 800 Metres, GOLDEN ADDICTION (J Moreira) shifted out slightly when racing close to the heels of SPEEDYGONZALEZ. A short distance later, EXPECTATOR (Z Purton) was shifted out in an attempt to establish a position one horse off the fence to the inside of GOLDEN ADDICTION. This resulted in EXPECTATOR shifting out and bumping GOLDEN ADDICTION after the 700 Metres. EXPECTATOR and GOLDEN ADDICTION then raced tight as a result of both riders attempting to maintain their relative positions. Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, GOLDEN ADDICTION lay in slightly after both horses had raced tight for some distance, resulting in EXPECTATOR getting its head on the side and shifting in away from GOLDEN ADDICTION and in doing so striking the heels of FULL OF FUN and blundering badly. When EXPECTATOR struck the heels of FULL OF FUN, OXFORD CHARLEY, which was following, was checked away from that horse. TAI PO FORTUNE, WINNING MASCOT and YEUNG SING were all hampered in consequence. The Stewards found that the initial contact between GOLDEN ADDICTION and EXPECTATOR was as a result of EXPECTATOR shifting out slightly and thereafter the horses racing very tight as both Z Purton and J Moreira rode competitively to hold their respective positions and that there was no carelessness exhibited by either rider in this incident. Nonetheless both riders were advised to ensure that at all times whilst riding competitively, they must ride within the Rules to ensure the safety of horse and rider. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, FULL OF FUN momentarily raced tight inside SPEEDYGONZALEZ which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly. After the 200 Metres, WINNING MASCOT was shifted in away from the heels of EXPECTATOR after being held up for clear running behind that horse. When questioned regarding the performance of PLAIN RED BANNER, N Pinna stated that the horse was up significantly in weight tonight following its last start success. He said when successful last start the horse was able to be well positioned in a moderately run race whereas tonight’s race was run at a different tempo. He also said that, in his opinion, tonight’s race was much stronger than that which the horse encountered last start. A veterinary inspection of PLAIN RED BANNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN ADDICTION and SPEEDYGONZALEZ were sent for sampling.