14/05/2014  Happy Valley  Race 5

On jumping, DILIGENT III and MAZANDARAN were badly crowded for room between EXPECTATOR and SMART UNION (A Suborics) which shifted in abruptly. A Suborics was advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledge that he had made some effort to relieve the pressure to the horses inside, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to ensure that his mounts do not cause interference at the start. BORN TO WIN shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in NOBLE DE BEST, BRIGHT CONCEPT and SKIP COURT all being crowded for room inside SOUTHERN SPRINGS. After this, SKIP COURT was shifted across behind runners. From the outside barrier, PEARL STAR was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, SMART UNION was steadied away from the heels of PENNY LANE which was taken in by GOOD THINKER (Apprentice C Y Lui). Apprentice Lui was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in future. After the 1100 Metres, BORN TO WIN was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 600 Metres, SKIP COURT shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of SOUTHERN SPRINGS which became unbalanced. Passing the 600 Metres and again approaching the 500 Metres, NOBLE DE BEST was hampered when crowded for room inside DILIGENT III which shifted in marginally despite the efforts of its rider. Making the Home Turn, NOBLE DE BEST remained awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of DILIGENT III. After the 150 Metres, PEARL STAR got its head on the side and lay in under pressure, resulting in its rider changing his whip over into his right hand. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MAZANDARAN, D Whyte stated that he had been asked to ride the horse in a forward position, however, after being crowded for room at the start, MAZANDARAN was obliged to race further back in the field than had been intended. He said although MAZANDARAN was interfered with in the early stages, he was of the belief that he would have had to make considerable use of the horse to take up a forward position irrespective of this inconvenience as it did not show any early speed. He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion he was obliged to ride his mount along in order to maintain the position behind SMART UNION and then after this MAZANDARAN travelled only fairly. He added as BORN TO WIN improved its position after the 900 Metres, he rode his mount along in an endeavour to follow that horse forward, however, MAZANDARAN did not quicken, so he elected to shift his mount back in behind SMART UNION rather than being taken unnecessarily wider by that horse which shifted out near the 800 Metres. He added MAZANDARAN continued to travel only fairly and when placed under pressure did not respond and, in his opinion, was disappointing. Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of MAZANDARAN, said that whilst the horse was disappointing, he felt the interference that it experienced at the start was a significant contributing factor to the horse’s run. He also stated that the time of tonight’s race was much quicker than those the horse competed in in its recent races. A veterinary inspection of MAZANDARAN immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. The performance of MAZANDARAN, a favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MAZANDARAN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DILIGENT III and SMART UNION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAZANDARAN, PEARL STAR and EXPECTATOR were sent for sampling. <15/5/2014 Additional Veterinary Reports>MAZANDARAN, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. MAZANDARAN was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A S Cruz this morning. He said at this time he found the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, MAZANDARAN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.