05/10/2016  Happy Valley  Race 5

GLORIOUS SUN was slow to begin. FOREVER POSH shifted in at the start and hampered SUPER SPRINTER. SUPER SPRINTER, from a wide barrier, was then shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, WIN IT failed to muster speed. Passing the 1300 Metres, FOREVER POSH got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PEARL WIN and shifted out away from the heels of that horse. After this, FOREVER POSH travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, EMPEROR VICTORY got its head up when proving difficult to settle. FOREVER POSH hung out rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by ROYAL PARTNER which improved into tight running between FOREVER POSH and HAPPY AND HEALTHY. WIN IT, which was following FOREVER POSH, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse as a consequence. Then passing the 250 Metres, FOREVER POSH got its head on the side and shifted out of its own accord and in doing so bumped ST YAZIN. Passing the 100 Metres, PEARL WIN raced tight inside HAPPY AND HEALTHY. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if GRACEFUL KINGDOM had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from C Schofield, Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of that horse, and Mr A Speechley, the Starter. After taking evidence from all parties and after viewing the video, it was established that after being loaded into the barriers, GRACEFUL KINGDOM had a blindfold applied. Prior to the start being effected, the blindfold was removed by the starting gate handler, however, just prior to the gates opening the starting gate handler attempted to straighten the head of GRACEFUL KINGDOM with the same hand in which he was carrying the blindfold. This resulted in the blindfold partially covering the left eye of GRACEFUL KINGDOM. As the Stewards were of the opinion that in attempting to assist GRACEFUL KINGDOM, the starting gate handler had inadvertently impacted upon that horse’s ability to begin with the field as a result of the horse’s vision being partially impaired, it was determined that GRACEFUL KINGDOM had not been afforded a fair start and accordingly the horse was deemed to be a non-runner. ROYAL PARTNER and SPARKLING SWORD were sent for sampling.