24/02/2016  Happy Valley  Race 2

ACUMEN was withdrawn on 23.2.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right fore tendon injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SPURS ON (M Chadwick). Before being allowed to race again, ACUMEN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CASA JUNIOR began awkwardly. EAGLE KING shifted in at the start and bumped FOREVER FUN. Shortly after the start, EAGLE KING again made contact due to FOREVER FUN shifting out. From a wide barrier, OPTIMISM was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn after the 1100 Metres, CASA JUNIOR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of EAGLE KING which, despite the efforts of its rider, got its head on the side and lay in. Near the 950 Metres, HAPPY HOMING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT SPEED. After the 800 Metres, OPTIMISM lay out and then making the turn after the 600 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EVER SHINY when continuing to lay out. Near the 500 Metres, FOREVER FUN became unbalanced after momentarily racing in restricted room inside GREAT SPEED. Approaching and passing the 400 Metres, EVER SHINY and HAPPY HOMING raced tight as both horses improved to be racing between FOREVER FUN and HURRY HURRY UP. Over the concluding stages, KING WINSA raced tight between CASA JUNIOR and SPURS ON which shifted in when giving ground. Throughout the race, HURRY HURRY UP travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY HOMING and OPTIMISM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER VIKING and ORIENTAL FANTASIA were sent for sampling.