18/03/2015  Happy Valley  Race 3

After being loaded, DINING STAR became fractious, reared and got its left front leg over into the adjoining stall. DINING STAR was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that it had sustained abrasions to the right front leg and as such was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of DINING STAR. Having regard to DINING STAR’s previous record in respect of barrier incidents, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, DINING STAR must undertake a series of consecutive official barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NAUGHTY BABY began only fairly. OUR HONOUR shifted out at the start and bumped GIDDY GIDDY. From wide barriers, CONSISTENT and SUPER KING STAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1100 Metres, LUCKY BALL and HOUSE OF LUCK bumped. Entering the Back Straight after the 1000 Metres, SPITFIRE commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out from behind GIDDY GIDDY after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SPITFIRE again shifted out away from the heels of GIDDY GIDDY when racing keenly. NAMJONG SURPRISE made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly. Near the 500 Metres, NAUGHTY BABY and LUCKY BALL raced tight as NAUGHTY BABY shifted to the outside of the heels of JACK’S GEM. A short distance after this, LUCKY BALL became unbalanced, shifted out and bumped NAMJONG SURPRISE. Near the 150 Metres, GIDDY GIDDY was steadied away from the heels of NAUGHTY BABY (Apprentice K C Ng) which got its head on the side and hung in under pressure. After this, NAUGHTY BABY continued to hang in and proved difficult to ride. Apprentice Ng was advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledged that NAUGHTY BABY was a difficult ride, he was advised to do his best to keep his mounts straight. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY BALL and GIDDY GIDDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NAUGHTY BABY and JOYEUX were sent for sampling.