07/10/2015  Happy Valley  Race 4

ARGENTUM was withdrawn on 6.10.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SILVER BAUHINIA (Y T Cheng). Before being allowed to race again, ARGENTUM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WONDERFUL FIGHTER began awkwardly. SILVER BAUHINIA was slow to begin and subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of SILVER BAUHINIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of SILVER BAUHINIA was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SILVER BAUHINIA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, BANGALORE and LE PEGASE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1000 Metres, GRAN BOLIVAR was checked when crowded for room by HAPPY CHAMPION which, after initially being taken in by ROCKET LET WIN which was in turn taken in by SIR JOHN (B Prebble), then got its head on the side and shifted in away from ROCKET LET WIN. SILVER BAUHINIA, which was following GRAN BOLIVAR, was steadied away from the heels of that horse, shifted out and bumped BALTIC WARRIOR. B Prebble was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledged that HAPPY CHAMPION's racing manners at this time had played a part in the incident, nonetheless he was insufficiently clear of ROCKET LET WIN which placed initial pressure upon HAPPY CHAMPION. B Prebble was further advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Also approaching the 1000 Metres, LE PEGASE and BANGALORE bumped on two occasions, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced. BANGALORE lost its left hind plate at the 1000 Metres. After the 1000 Metres, ROCKET LET WIN was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 100 Metres, WONDERFUL FIGHTER raced tight inside CHIN CHUN. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BANGALORE had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of GRAN BOLIVAR immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. WONDERFUL FIGHTER, HAPPY CHAMPION and BALTIC WARRIOR were sent for sampling.