23/09/2015  Happy Valley  Race 2

On arrival at the Start, RAPID TRIUMPH was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had sustained a cut to the tongue, however, was suitable to race. COUP D'ETAT and RAPID TRIUMPH bumped on jumping. Shortly after the start, WINNING MASCOT and RAPID TRIUMPH were crowded for room between COUP D'ETAT and TRUE COMMENT which shifted out away from JUMBO SPIRIT. From a wide barrier, RISING POWER, when being steadied in order to be shifted across behind runners, was crowded for room between SILVER DRAGON and LIGHTNING PEGASUS which began awkwardly. In this incident, LIGHTNING PEGASUS became badly unbalanced. BETTER ANNOUNCE stumbled at the start and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. Approaching the 1300 Metres, LIGHTNING PEGASUS shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of COUP D'ETAT which shifted out when proving difficult to settle when being steadied to allow SILVER DRAGON to cross. Passing the 300 Metres, JUMBO SPIRIT shifted in and was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of THE SYLPH. Passing the 100 Metres, THE SYLPH was steadied away from the heels of RISING POWER (T H So) which shifted out. Then approaching the 50 Metres, JUMBO SPIRIT was momentarily awkwardly placed outside RISING POWER which continued to shift ground. T H So was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LIGHTNING PEGASUS, N Callan stated that he had to make use of the horse to take up a forward position in the early stages. He said however that when LIGHTNING PEGASUS raced well last week, he also had to make similar use of the horse in the early stages. He said after the 1300 Metres he was left racing in a three wide position and without cover and therefore again had to ride LIGHTNING PEGASUS along to obtain a position one horse off the rail. He added the tempo in the middle stages tonight was quicker than it was last week, but irrespective LIGHTNING PEGASUS came under heavy pressure after the 600 Metres and then did not finish off the race. He said LIGHTNING PEGASUS felt "flat" and the horse's performance indicated to him that it may not have backed up after last Wednesday night's race. A veterinary inspection of LIGHTNING PEGASUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LIGHTNING PEGASUS, which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LIGHTNING PEGASUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of COUP D'ETAT, J Moreira stated that having been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position, he had to make use of it in the early stages to cross runners to his inside. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he commenced to steady his mount to obtain a trailing position behind SILVER DRAGON. He said when he did this COUP D'ETAT immediately commenced to prove difficult to settle and over-raced for some distance. He said it was not until approaching the 900 Metres that COUP D'ETAT commenced to travel more kindly, however, he became concerned a short distance later when he had to niggle his mount along to maintain its position behind LIGHTNING PEGASUS. He added after placing COUP D'ETAT under pressure after the 600 Metres the horse did not quicken and then weakened in the Straight. He said whilst the performance of COUP D'ETAT was disappointing, he attributed the horse's failure to finish off the race to the manner in which it over-raced in the middle stages. A veterinary inspection of COUP D'ETAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of COUP D'ETAT, a favourite for tonight's race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COUP D'ETAT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, C Schofield stated that when proceeding to the barriers SOUTHERN SPRINGS' action did not feel completely comfortable, however, he gave the horse a warm up behind the barriers and SOUTHERN SPRINGS' action improved. He said the horse began very well and was able to take up a forward position in the early stages, however, after travelling about 100 Metres SOUTHERN SPRINGS faltered in its action and then in the run to the winning post on the first occasion was not striding out comfortably. He said as he had concerns for the horse's welfare, he eased it out of the race. He added immediately after the race he advised the Veterinary Officer that he was of the opinion the horse felt lame in front. A veterinary inspection of SOUTHERN SPRINGS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SOUTHERN SPRINGS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOUTHERN SPRINGS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of THE SYLPH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COUP D'ETAT, RISING POWER and WIN CHANCE were sent for sampling.