05/03/2014  Happy Valley  Race 9

LEGENDARY DRAGON was withdrawn on 4.3.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, LEGENDARY DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After travelling a short distance, GREAT SPIRIT was steadied away from the heels of EL ZONDA (A Suborics) which shifted in. A Suborics was advised to exercise more care. Approaching the 1100 Metres, STRAIGHT GOLD lost ground when steadied away from the heels of BEST ELEVEN which got its head on the side and shifted out. Passing the 1100 Metres, EL ZONDA got its head up and raced ungenerously when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEST ELEVEN. For some distance after this, EL ZONDA continued to race ungenerously and near the 900 Metres became unbalanced. Then passing the 800 Metres, EL ZONDA again got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of BEST ELEVEN. Passing the 500 Metres, TAI SING YEH was awkwardly placed between EL ZONDA and GURUS DREAM. CALIFORNIA BOUNTY hung out rounding the Home Turn. G Mosse, the rider of the 6th placegetter, STRAIGHT GOLD, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride his mount out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. G Mosse was fined the sum of $30,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the circumstances of this incident and G Mosse’s prior record of having breached this particular Rule of Racing. After the race, D Whyte stated that, from the outside barrier, he had been instructed to shift GURUS DREAM across behind runners in the early stages. He said however GURUS DREAM, which was having its first start this season, raced too keenly and, despite his efforts, he was unable to bring the horse back behind runners. He said as a consequence GURUS DREAM travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Also after the race, B Prebble stated that making the first turn HAPPY ERA got its head on the side and was inclined to hang out. He said because of this HAPPY ERA was then left racing wide and without cover throughout the race. He said HAPPY ERA did not travel comfortably at any stage and in the Straight, when giving ground, the horse’s action deteriorated. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY ERA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HAPPY ERA was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY ERA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FULFIL A WISH was lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FULFIL A WISH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOLDEN HARVEST, BUNDLE OF LOVE and GREAT SPIRIT were sent for sampling.