07/05/2014  Happy Valley  Race 1

FLYING KEEPER was slow to begin. GOOD LUCK WIN began awkwardly. GOOD SMILE shifted in at the start and bumped ENJOY THE FUN. From the outside barrier, DAILY DOUBLE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 900 Metres, RISING POWER got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle and passing the 900 Metres lost ground after momentarily racing tight between GOOD LUCK WIN and COSMO ONE which got its head on the side and shifted in when also travelling keenly. For some distance after the 900 Metres, GOOD LUCK WIN over-raced and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MARVEL PLUS. Passing the 600 Metres, COLUMBUS LINE and COSMO ONE raced tight. After the 600 Metres, ENJOY THE FUN was severely checked when crowded for room between CHINA GOOD and MARVEL PLUS (C K Tong) which got its head on the side and lay in when racing tight inside LEELI’S STAR (H Bowman) which at this time was positioned about a head behind MARVEL PLUS. GOOD LUCK WIN, which was following ENJOY THE FUN, was severely checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out. RISING POWER, which was racing to the outside of ENJOY THE FUN, was inconvenienced. Also in this incident, ENJOY THE FUN bumped the hindquarters of CHINA GOOD which became unbalanced and lost ground. After considering the evidence and viewing the videos, the Stewards formed the view that C K Tong had made some effort to prevent his mount from shifting in by turning his horse’s head to the outside in an endeavour to ensure that MARVEL PLUS remained racing in a three wide position. Nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. H Bowman was also advised to ensure that he provides runners to his inside with comfortable racing room. Rounding the Home Turn, MARVEL PLUS raced tight between LEELI’S STAR and COLUMBUS LINE which got its head on the side and lay out. After the 200 Metres, COSMO ONE shifted out under pressure. Over about the final 150 Metres, COLUMBUS LINE lay out under pressure. When questioned, Z Purton stated that after being crossed by COLUMBUS LINE after the 1000 Metres, ENJOY THE FUN came off the bridle and became unbalanced. He said after the 800 Metres he was obliged to ride his mount along as it was reluctant to maintain its position behind COLUMBUS LINE. He said when being ridden along, ENJOY THE FUN did not feel comfortable in its action. He added after being severely checked passing the 600 Metres, ENJOY THE FUN’s action deteriorated and despite being ridden out lost its action rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He said on return to the unplaced saddling area ENJOY THE FUN continued to feel short in its action. A veterinary inspection of ENJOY THE FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, ENJOY THE FUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of RISING POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ENJOY THE FUN, FLYING KEEPER and COSMO ONE were sent for sampling.