23/11/2016  Happy Valley  Race 8

GIANT STARS was withdrawn on 22.11.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUPER TURBO (B Prebble). Before being allowed to race again, GIANT STARS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, K Teetan expressed concern regarding the action of SILVER SPUN. SILVER SPUN was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that he could detect no obvious abnormalities with the horse. After consulting with Jockey Teetan, SILVER SPUN was found to be suitable to race. FABULOUS NOVEMBER, which was restless in the stalls, was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners. Also from wide barriers, CROWN AVENUE and SUPER TURBO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1050 Metres, HARRIER JET was severely checked and VICTORY MACHINE (S Clipperton) checked when crowded for room between MR RIGHT which became badly unbalanced after being bumped heavily on the hindquarters by VICTORY MACHINE and BEAUTY CONNECTION which was racing tight to the inside of WONDERFUL JOURNEY which got its head on the side and lay in away from THOR THE GREATEST which at this time was also shifting in. RIGHT CALL, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Whilst this incident was one of some significance, the Stewards were not able to attribute blame to any one rider who, in their opinion, had ridden carelessly in this incident, rather the Stewards found that the incident occurred as a result of BEAUTY CONNECTION, WONDERFUL JOURNEY and THOR THE GREATEST all being inclined to lay in when racing very wide making the first turn. As such, no action was taken other than to issue a general warning to all riders to ensure that they make every endeavour to prevent their mounts from shifting ground, particularly in circumstances which existed in this incident. After the race, S Clipperton stated that after being badly crowded, VICTORY MACHINE appeared to lose confidence and would not stretch out fully. After the 1000 Metres, C Schofield’s saddle shifted forward, resulting in him having little control over BEAUTY CONNECTION. BEAUTY CONNECTION was then eased out of the race after the 600 Metres. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, FABULOUS NOVEMBER hung out across the heels of SUPER TURBO and was severely checked. Approaching the 200 Metres, OUR HERO shifted out and bumped HARRIER JET which became unbalanced. OUR HERO and HARRIER JET then raced tight for some distance. A veterinary inspection of CROWN AVENUE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of SILVER SPUN immediately following the race revealed that horse to be lame in its right hind leg and also to be a “roarer” which had previously been reported. The performance of SILVER SPUN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SILVER SPUN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MR RIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY CONNECTION immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained an abrasion above the left hock and a minor wound to the inside of the right hind fetlock. VICTORY MACHINE, SUPER TURBO and WONDERFUL JOURNEY were sent for sampling.