13/05/2015  Happy Valley  Race 7

From the outside barrier, REAL TREAT began awkwardly and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners. ROYAL SPIRIT and GROOVY were crowded for room on jumping between GENERAL IRON which shifted in after beginning awkwardly and BRILLANTE which got its head on the side and shifted out. Near the 600 Metres, HAWTHORNE was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, REAL TREAT was checked when crowded for room between EXCEL ONESELF and GROOVY which got its head on the side and shifted out. Near the 550 Metres, EXCEL ONESELF shifted out abruptly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAWTHORNE. Approaching the 400 Metres, GREAT RUN shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BRILLANTE. After the 200 Metres, GENERAL IRON was shifted out away from the heels of SMART DECLARATION to obtain clear running. When closing off the race strongly, GREAT RUN was shifted in away from the heels of SHADOWFAXE near the 150 Metres to continue improving. Over the concluding stages, GREAT RUN and SMART DECLARATION raced tight. Close to the finishing line, REAL TREAT and EXCEL ONESELF raced tight. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FUN ‘N’ GAMES, B Prebble stated that he rode his mount aggressively in the early stages to take up a leading position which was similar to how he rode the horse at its most recent start when successful. He said, despite being aggressively ridden in the early stages, BRILLIANT PROPOSAL showed more speed than FUN ‘N’ GAMES and was able to cross his mount making the first turn. He said he was concerned regarding the chances of FUN ‘N’ GAMES in the early stages as the horse did not travel as strongly as it did at its most recent start. He added he was obliged to place FUN ‘N’ GAMES under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn to maintain its position and shortly after entering the Straight the horse commenced to give ground and over the concluding stages felt “weak”. A veterinary inspection of FUN ‘N’ GAMES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FUN ‘N’ GAMES was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FUN ‘N’ GAMES will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, K C Leung stated that ROYAL SPIRIT did not travel well at any stage of the race and would not stretch out and near the 400 Metres appeared to dip. He said as he had concerns regarding the horse’s action, he eased it out of the race. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of ROYAL SPIRIT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL SPIRIT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, J Moreira (SHADOWFAXE) stated that whilst he had to ride his mount along for some distance in the early stages to cross runners to his inside, nonetheless he was of the opinion that SHADOWFAXE was disappointing in the manner in which it did not close off the race as he expected it would. He said in the Straight, when placed under pressure, SHADOWFAXE got its head on the side and lay in. A veterinary inspection of SHADOWFAXE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SHADOWFAXE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SHADOWFAXE, SMART DECLARATION and GREAT RUN were sent for sampling.