21/05/2014  Happy Valley  Race 5

CLASSY VICTOR was withdrawn on 20.5.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore and right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LET’S GOAL (N Callan). Before being allowed to race again, CLASSY VICTOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOYFUL MISSION was slow to begin. CULTURAL CITY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped TWIN TURBO which became unbalanced. Shortly after the start, LET’S GOAL was steadied away from the heels of PLAIN RED BANNER which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. After this, LET’S GOAL was shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, WEALTHY FORTUNE was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, TWIN TURBO was steadied when racing in restricted room between CULTURAL CITY and REAL GENERAL which was taken in by DRAGON GLORY (A Suborics). A Suborics was advised to exercise more care. Then passing the winning post on the first occasion, REAL GENERAL raced tight inside DRAGON GLORY which got its head on the side and shifted in. Passing the 800 Metres, WEALTHY FORTUNE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TWIN TURBO. At the entrance to the Straight, LET’S GOAL was shifted to the inside of WEALTHY FORTUNE when disappointed for running between that horse and DRAGON GLORY. Shortly after entering the Straight, SOUTHERN SPRINGS was momentarily disappointed for running between THANKSGIVING and PLAIN RED BANNER. Also shortly after entering the Straight, ROBUST MOMENTUM got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly. THANKSGIVING lost its left hind plate near the 300 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, WEALTHY FORTUNE shifted out, resulting in DRAGON GLORY and REAL GENERAL being inconvenienced. Near the 250 Metres, TWIN TURBO was shifted out away from the heels of ROBUST MOMENTUM to improve into tight running between that horse and CULTURAL CITY. Near the 150 Metres, LET’S GOAL was shifted in away from the heels of PLAIN RED BANNER to continue improving. For the majority of the race, CHERYL’S HORSE travelled wide and without cover and commenced to give ground prior to the 500 Metres. A veterinary inspection of CHERYL’S HORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CHERYL’S HORSE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHERYL’S HORSE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ROBUST MOMENTUM, Z Purton stated that he rode his mount in a position behind the leader which was consistent with the manner in which he rode it at its most recent start. He said whilst he had to ride ROBUST MOMENTUM along in the early stages, he was able to cross runners to his inside relatively easily and ROBUST MOMENTUM was able to obtain a good position behind the lead. He said whilst ROBUST MOMENTUM raced keenly at times, he was comfortable with the manner in which the horse travelled, however, ROBUST MOMENTUM, after being shifted to the outside of runners rounding the Home Turn, quickly came under pressure and, in his opinion, was disappointing in its failure to close off the race. He added following tonight’s disappointing performance, he advised the connections to consider riding ROBUST MOMENTUM more quietly in its races as the horse had previously performed when ridden in this manner. He said when ridden in more forward positions at its most recent starts, ROBUST MOMENTUM had not finished off its races as it had previously. A veterinary inspection of ROBUST MOMENTUM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PLAIN RED BANNER and REAL GENERAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ROBUST MOMENTUM, SOUTHERN SPRINGS and TWIN TURBO were sent for sampling.