04/02/2015  Happy Valley  Race 8

APACHE SPIRIT was withdrawn on 2.2.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ROYAL PARTNER. Before being allowed to race again, APACHE SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROYAL PARTNER, which was leaning on the inside of its stall, began awkwardly. REDWOOD BABY and PO CHING TREASURE bumped at the start. From wide barriers, LEVEL PLAYER and HOLMES LEGEND were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1600 Metres, WILLIE INVICTUS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of EXECUTIVE MANDATE which shifted out marginally. Near the 1100 Metres, EXECUTIVE MANDATE got its head up when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of BULLISH SMART (Apprentice K C Ng) which, after initially being clear of EXECUTIVE MANDATE, then steadied the tempo when shifting across that horse. Apprentice Ng was advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in future. Passing the 1000 Metres, WILLIE INVICTUS got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of PO CHING TREASURE. WILLIE INVICTUS continued to prove difficult to settle for some distance after this. Approaching the 900 Metres, EXECUTIVE MANDATE continued to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when racing close to the heels of BULLISH SMART. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, ROYAL PARTNER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WRATH OF FIRE. Near the 150 Metres, ROYAL PARTNER and WRATH OF FIRE raced tight as ROYAL PARTNER improved into a narrow run outside BULLISH SMART. Passing the 150 Metres, PO CHING TREASURE was steadied away from the heels of GOOD CHOICE which shifted out. Near the 100 Metres, REDWOOD BABY shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider, M Demuro, having to stop riding and straighten. Over the final 100 Metres, ROYAL PARTNER raced tight inside EXECUTIVE MANDATE. When questioned regarding the performance of TOP ACT, M Guyon stated that he had been asked by Mr A T Millard, the trainer of TOP ACT, to ride the horse behind the speed with cover if possible. He said it was explained to him that racing forward of midfield was generally a more preferable position on tonight’s track and that, from barrier 7, it may have been possible to obtain this position in the early stages. He said however that due to the composition of the field in the early stages, he was left racing in a three wide position and without cover after the 1200 Metres. He said TOP ACT travelled only fairly and came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and in the Straight gave ground. He said although TOP ACT raced wide at its last start when successful, the horse had cover for the majority of that race and was able to then show a turn of foot when ridden in about a midfield position. He added, judging by the way that TOP ACT weakened tonight, he was of the opinion that the horse is best suited when ridden more conservatively. A veterinary inspection of TOP ACT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TOP ACT, a favourite for tonight’s race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TOP ACT 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 WILLIE INVICTUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOP ACT, EXECUTIVE MANDATE and ROYAL PARTNER were sent for sampling.