01/11/2015  Happy Valley  Race 4

After being loaded, THUNDER DASH became fractious, reared and sat down. THUNDER DASH was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who reported that the horse had sustained wounds to the right elbow and the outside of the right front cannon and as such was not suitable to race. Accordingly, THUNDER DASH was withdrawn by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice. Before being allowed to race again, THUNDER DASH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Just prior to the start being effected, TRENDIFUL became fractious, resulting in its front gate opening and the horse leaving the barrier stalls. Shortly after TRENDIFUL becoming fractious, BULB MASTER also became fractious, resulting in its front gate opening and the horse leaving the barrier stalls. TRENDIFUL and BULB MASTER then travelled a short distance before being restrained and returned to the Start. TRENDIFUL and BULB MASTER were examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that both horses were suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, TRENDIFUL and BULB MASTER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. As a result of TRENDIFUL and BULB MASTER breaking through the gates, all remaining runners were removed from the barriers until TRENDIFUL and BULB MASTER were cleared to race by the Veterinary Officer. DIAMOND FRIENDS, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly and bumped with ROCKET LET WIN shortly after the start. HAPPY CHAMPION began only fairly. Shortly after the start, HO HO FEEL, which was being steadied to obtain cover, was momentarily crowded for room between BULB MASTER and HAPPY CHAMPION, both of which shifted ground. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, TOUCH GO failed to muster speed. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, CRAIG'S FORTUNE got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of HIGHLAND DRAGON. JOLLY POSH lost its right front plate at the 550 Metres. After the 300 Metres, HO HO FEEL was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DIAMOND FRIENDS which shifted out marginally. ROCKET LET WIN had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 75 Metres was awkwardly placed behind JOLLY POSH when disappointed for running between that horse and TRENDIFUL which shifted in marginally. Over about the final 50 Metres, DIAMOND FRIENDS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TRENDIFUL when racing tight to the inside of HO HO FEEL. Consequently DIAMOND FRIENDS was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When closing off the race strongly, HO HO FEEL was steadied and shifted in to obtain clear running inside HIGHLAND DRAGON which shifted out under pressure when racing in advance of HO HO FEEL. Over the concluding stages, HO HO FEEL (B Prebble) got its head on the side and lay in towards DIAMOND FRIENDS which was experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running. Consequently B Prebble stopped riding and straightened his mount. As such, HO HO FEEL was unable to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of TOUCH GO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TOUCH GO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TOUCH GO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CRAIG'S FORTUNE and HIGHLAND DRAGON were sent for sampling.