05/06/2014  Happy Valley  Race 1

RED ADVENTURE and ROYAL KNIGHT bumped at the start. Then a short distance after the start, RED ADVENTURE raced tight between ROYAL KNIGHT and HUMONGUS which shifted out. In this incident, HUMONGUS and RED ADVENTURE became unbalanced after bumping. When being steadied in order to be shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages, ENJOY THE GAME got its head up on a number of occasions. From the outside barrier, GOLD TARTINI was taken across behind runners in the early stages. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, VIVA GUY was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 50 Metres, SECRETARY OF STATE shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of LITTLE RAINFOREST as a result of being held up for clear running behind that horse. SECRETARY OF STATE was then not able to obtain clear running for the remainder of the race and consequently was not able to be properly tested all the way to the finishing line. When questioned, T H So stated that he had been asked to ride STARLIT WARRIOR in a midfield position with cover from barrier 11 if possible. He said after his mount shifted in at the start, resulting in him having to correct it, he then rode the horse along for a short distance, however, it soon became apparent to him that STARLIT WARRIOR would not show sufficient speed to obtain a midfield position and therefore he elected to shift his mount across behind runners in an attempt to obtain cover as close as possible to that position. He added STARLIT WARRIOR did not show any early speed and he had to ride the horse along for some distance in the early and middle stages in an attempt to have it remain in contact with the main body of the field. When questioned, A Suborics (TIPPERARY DAVOR) stated that after having to ride his mount along in the early stages to cross runners to his inside, similarly to how he rode the horse along in the early stages at its most recent start when successful, he then steadied his mount approaching the winning post on the first occasion to see whether LITTLE RAINFOREST would go forward of TIPPERARY DAVOR and challenge his mount for the lead. He said when LITTLE RAINFOREST was steadied by its rider to remain racing outside TIPPERARY DAVOR, he continued to hold the lead and did not believe that the horse was running a fast tempo. He added at all stages it appeared as though LITTLE RAINFOREST was travelling strongly to his outside and therefore he did not believe that the pace of the race was unusually fast albeit that he felt his mount was travelling just quicker than standard. He said after the 800 Metres TIPPERARY DAVOR came under pressure whilst LITTLE RAINFOREST continued to travel strongly to his outside and after being placed under pressure well before the Home Turn, TIPPERARY DAVOR weakened noticeably in the Straight. He said it was not until after the race that he became aware that the race was run at a fast pace, however, he did not believe riding in the race that the tempo of the race was exceptionally quick. A veterinary inspection of TIPPERARY DAVOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL KNIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of ROYAL KNIGHT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL KNIGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HUMONGUS, LUCKY CHOICE and GOLD TARTINI were sent for sampling. <6/6/2014 Additional Veterinary Reports >The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that LUCKY CHOICE was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY CHOICE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.