23/12/2015  Happy Valley  Race 5

AMBITIOUS KING was withdrawn on raceday afternoon by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (colic). Before being allowed to race again, AMBITIOUS KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ENERGETIC CLASS began awkwardly and then failed to muster speed despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages. When being steadied approaching the first turn, LEAN JOURNEY became unbalanced and shifted out towards the heels of FINE ROCK. Near the 800 Metres, LEAN JOURNEY again became unbalanced in its action. When being steadied off the heels of FINE ROCK after leaving the 600 Metres, LEAN JOURNEY got its head up and shifted out, resulting in SHARP HUNTER being inconvenienced. ENERGETIC CLASS, which was following, shifted out off the heels of LEAN JOURNEY and made contact with EXCELLENT FORTUNE. Making the Home Turn, LEAN JOURNEY shifted out and bumped SHARP HUNTER, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Throughout the event, GLORY SUNSHINE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, U Rispoli stated that he was instructed from gate 11 to steady BACK IN BLACK in the early stages and settle towards the rear of the field and then ride for luck. He said approaching the first turn he restrained BACK IN BLACK in an endeavour to have the horse shift over to find a position behind SAMMY'S EMPIRE, however, BACK IN BLACK was racing very keenly and had also commenced to lay out at this stage which prevented him from being able to assume the trailing position behind SAMMY'S EMPIRE. He added BACK IN BLACK continued to lay out and he was unable to settle the horse sufficiently to obtain cover and as a consequence BACK IN BLACK was obliged to race wide and without cover throughout the event. A veterinary inspection of BACK IN BLACK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. D Whyte stated that ENERGETIC CLASS did not appear to handle Happy Valley at its first time of asking and this, in his opinion, accounted for the horse's disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of ENERGETIC CLASS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ENERGETIC CLASS, FOREVER RED and SHARP HUNTER were sent for sampling.