09/06/2016  Happy Valley  Race 10

LUCKY YEAR was withdrawn on 6.6.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter APOLLO'S CHOICE. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY YEAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that BULLISH SMART had lost its left front plate. After this plate was refitted, BULLISH SMART was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. APOLLO'S CHOICE and TRAVEL DATUK bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, ACCEPTED was crowded for room inside HERO LOOK which shifted in. HERO LOOK was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to ACCEPTED, resulting in HERO LOOK being momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of EXCITING DREAM. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, BULLISH SMART failed to muster speed and subsequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Near the 1050 Metres, BACK IN BLACK raced tight inside FIGHT HERO which got its head on the side and lay in. Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, EXCITING DREAM was steadied and shifted behind HIGH FIVE to obtain cover. Throughout the race, HIGH FIVE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze (ACCEPTED) stated that he had been asked not to ride his mount along in the early stages as ACCEPTED has known to over-race and prove difficult to settle. He said after being bumped at the start he shifted his mount across behind runners to obtain a position outside TRAVEL DATUK approaching the 1100 Metres. He said making the first turn passing the 1000 Metres he received a call from M L Yeung, the rider of TRAVEL DATUK, to alert him that the horse was still racing to the inside of ACCEPTED. He said at this time he was comfortable to race one horse off the rail as he was racing behind BACK IN BLACK which he considered to be a strong chance in the race. He said near the 800 Metres ACCEPTED commenced to travel keenly and at this time he considered shifting to the inside of BACK IN BLACK to take up a position on the rail behind APOLLO'S CHOICE, however, at this time TRAVEL DATUK had improved to be racing to the inside of the heels of ACCEPTED and for this reason he did not shift in. He said however he was still content to race behind BACK IN BLACK. He added after this ACCEPTED commenced to prove very difficult to settle and for a considerable distance was checked away from the heels of BACK IN BLACK which did not take him into the race as he anticipated it would. A veterinary inspection of ACCEPTED immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ACCEPTED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, K Teetan stated that BACK IN BLACK travelled keenly to the Start and then, during the race, travelled only fairly. He said making the Home Turn he had to niggle at BACK IN BLACK in an endeavour to have the horse improve its position. He said in previous starts when he had ridden BACK IN BLACK, the horse had travelled stronger at this stage of the race and it was of concern to him that he had to ride it along at this time. He said in the early part of the Straight BACK IN BLACK lay in and then weakened over the latter stages. He added, in his opinion, BACK IN BLACK raced like a tired horse. Trainer P O'Sullivan subsequently confirmed that it was his intention to spell BACK IN BLACK following today's disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of BACK IN BLACK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HIGH FIVE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, HIGH FIVE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BACK IN BLACK, FABULOUS ONE and APOLLO'S CHOICE were sent for sampling.