26/04/2017  Happy Valley  Race 8

JETWINGS was withdrawn on 25.4.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter TURF SPRINT (D Whyte). Before being allowed to race again, JETWINGS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From the outside barriers, MR GENUINE and TURF SPRINT were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. COUNTRY MELODY was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across to obtain cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, THE GOLDEN AGE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 650 Metres, CHARITY GLORY broke down in its left front suspensory. DRAGON GENERAL, which was following, was severely checked away from the heels of CHARITY GLORY and shifted in, resulting in MR GENUINE being crowded for room. This resulted in DRAGON GENERAL and MR GENUINE losing ground. When questioned regarding the performance of SEA JADE, S Clipperton stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden in a forward position. He said it was felt that there was good natural speed with horses such as CHARITY JOY, VICTORY MARVEL and PREMIERE being engaged and if SEA JADE could not lead, the horse would be able to take a position behind the lead if the tempo of the race was sufficient in the early stages. He said SEA JADE began only fairly and was immediately crossed by VICTORY MARVEL. He said it was therefore not an option to lead so he obtained a trailing position behind VICTORY MARVEL and after that horse shifted in to race on the rail near the 1050 Metres, he obtained a trailing position behind PREMIERE. He said PREMIERE then improved its position which provided HIGH FIVE with the opportunity to race outside that horse. He said although SEA JADE raced slightly further back in the field than had been intended, nonetheless the horse travelled well and initially quickened for him in the early part of the Straight such that he felt it was going to finish off the race strongly. He said after initially showing a good turn of foot, SEA JADE then came under pressure after the 200 Metres, however, he felt that this was more as a result of the fact that the horse was carrying top weight and the circumstances of the race rather than the horse being disappointing. A veterinary inspection of SEA JADE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of THE GOLDEN AGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SEA JADE, VICTORY MARVEL and MR GENUINE were sent for sampling.