05/06/2014  Happy Valley  Race 4

After being loaded, WINNING PREMIUM became fractious and got its head down underneath the front gates, causing C Reith, its rider, to be dislodged. Acting on veterinary advice that WINNING PREMIUM was lame in its right hind leg and as such was not suitable to race, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the horse. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING PREMIUM will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. C Reith was subsequently examined by the Club’s medical officers who said in their opinion he was fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. VERY WELL was slow to begin and then, despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, failed to muster speed. From the outside barriers, TWIN TURBO and MIGHTY K were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1200 Metres, MIGHTY K was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 950 Metres, VERY WELL commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of DUAL HAPPY. VERY WELL then improved its position outside DUAL HAPPY and inside SOUTHERN SPRINGS where there was insufficient room, resulting in VERY WELL making solid contact with SOUTHERN SPRINGS, causing that horse to become unbalanced and VERY WELL to be checked. At the entrance to the Straight, SKIP COURT was shifted in away from the heels of DRAGON GLORY to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SOUTHERN SPRINGS, K Teetan stated that whilst the horse drew an inside barrier at its most recent start when successful, the horse tonight drew barrier 11 and because it was anticipated that there were runners which would show speed which were drawn more favourably than SOUTHERN SPRINGS, he was asked to shift his mount across behind runners and obtain a position with cover in the early stages if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he shifted SOUTHERN SPRINGS across to race towards the rear and he became concerned when SOUTHERN SPRINGS did not appear to be travelling as comfortably as it did at its last start when able to be ridden behind the speed. He said after SOUTHERN SPRINGS became unbalanced near the 900 Metres, the horse continued to travel only fairly and gave him the impression that it was not comfortable on tonight’s “Good to Firm” racing surface. He added he placed SOUTHERN SPRINGS under pressure at the 500 Metres, however, the horse did not respond as he had hoped. He said when continuing to ride his mount out in the Straight, SOUTHERN SPRINGS did not stretch out which confirmed to him his opinion that the horse was not comfortable on the surface. A veterinary inspection of SOUTHERN SPRINGS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SOUTHERN SPRINGS, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOUTHERN SPRINGS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. J Moreira, the rider of the 6th placegetter, TWIN TURBO, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride his mount out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. J Moreira was fined a sum of $20,000. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TRENDY WIN was distressed. Before being allowed to race again, TRENDY WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SKIP COURT, TRENDY WIN and ISLAND GARDEN were sent for sampling. <6/6/2014 Additional Veterinary Reports >SOUTHERN SPRINGS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. SOUTHERN SPRINGS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C S Shum this morning. He said at this time he found the horse to be lame in its left hind leg. As previously advised, SOUTHERN SPRINGS 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.