22/12/2016  Happy Valley  Race 8

BLOCKER DEE was withdrawn on 19.12.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MOLLY’S JADE STAR. Before being allowed to race again, BLOCKER DEE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY METEOR began awkwardly. From wide barriers, SUPER TURBO, BACK IN BLACK and GOLDEN HARVEST were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Approaching the 200 Metres, VERBINSKY hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride which resulted in its rider, N Callan, dropping his whip. After passing the 200 Metres, VERBINSKY continued to shift in under pressure, resulting in TEAM FORTUNE being momentarily steadied. N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes more effort to keep his mounts straight. Approaching the 100 Metres, SUPER TURBO was shifted out across the heels of CHARITY JOY to obtain clear running. C Y Ho reported that his instructions were to go forward on MOLLY’S JADE STAR and in accordance with his instructions he rode the horse along vigorously in the first 100 Metres in order to take up a prominent position. He said however when he realized that he was likely to be caught extremely wide on the first turn, he elected to shift in behind runners to find a position closer to the rail but further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned regarding his riding of TEAM FORTUNE in the early and middle stages, S de Sousa stated that he was instructed to be positive on TEAM FORTUNE and endeavour to assume a forward position. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, a number of runners were also ridden to obtain forward positions which left TEAM FORTUNE extremely wide making the first turn. He said on entering the Back Straight he steadied TEAM FORTUNE for a short distance and gave consideration to shifting across behind DRAGON GENERAL, however, he quickly assessed that even this manoeuvre would have resulted in TEAM FORTUNE being left at least five wide and most likely without cover in the event that DRAGON GENERAL was able to go forward and take up a leading position. He added therefore he allowed TEAM FORTUNE to stride forward along the Back Straight and eventually shift in at the 500 Metres to race outside CHARITY JOY albeit still three wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON GENERAL, TEAM FORTUNE and HAPPY METEOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COUNTRY MELODY and SUPER TURBO were sent for sampling.