12/03/2014  Happy Valley  Race 4

VERY WELL was withdrawn on 10.3.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind and fever) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter HAPPY CENTENARY. ABLE MAGIC was withdrawn on 11.3.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter CHAMPION RANGER (D Whyte). Before being allowed to race again, VERY WELL and ABLE MAGIC will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HEY CHEERS began awkwardly. From wide barriers, HOLY MAC, CHAMPION RANGER and YOUNG TALENT were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. For some distance approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, HAPPY CENTENARY got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HEY CHEERS which also got its head up when allowing HINYUEN PALADIN to cross. LIBERAL OF MIND and HOLY MAC, which were following HAPPY CENTENARY, were steadied in consequence. After the 900 Metres, SUPER TEAM was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 400 Metres, HINYUEN PALADIN, which was commencing to give ground, momentarily raced in restricted room between SUPER TEAM and OYSTER which, when shifting to the outside of SKIP COURT, was taken out by that horse. In the Straight, LIBERAL OF MIND lay out under pressure. N Callan, the rider of the 7th placed, HOLY MAC, was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out all the way to the end of the race wherever circumstances permit. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HEY CHEERS, T Angland stated that whilst his mount was disappointing in its failure to close off the race, he was of the opinion that the circumstances of the race did not advantage the horse. He said after being able to obtain a nice position behind HINYUEN PALADIN passing the winning post on the first occasion, HEY CHEERS over-raced and was taken back in the field when HINYUEN PALADIN was steadied by its rider to obtain cover. He said the tempo of the race was only moderate and when SUPER TEAM improved to his outside approaching the 800 Metres, HEY CHEERS was then unable to improve its position when HINYUEN PALADIN came under pressure after the 600 Metres. He added he had to wait until SUPER TEAM improved its position before he was able to shift out on HEY CHEERS and this, in his opinion, affected HEY CHEERS’ momentum. He said when the race developed into a sprint home the horse was not able to quicken carrying top weight and then finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of HEY CHEERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, O Doleuze stated that after being obliged to race further back in the field than had been anticipated, HAPPY CENTENARY was not suited by the tempo of tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of CHAMPION RANGER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRENDY WIN and SKIP COURT were sent for sampling.