03/05/2017  Happy Valley  Race 5

SPINNING DANCER was bumped on jumping by PACKING GO GO which was taken out by GENERAL O’REILLY which began awkwardly. Then, from the outside barrier, SPINNING DANCER was shifted across behind runners. VICTORY FOLLOW ME was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, SCARBOROUGH FAIR proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of ARGENTUM. After the race, D Whyte stated that due to the racing manners of SCARBOROUGH FAIR, the horse was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SCARBOROUGH FAIR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GLORY STAR travelled wide and without cover until after the 900 Metres at which time the horse became unbalanced after shifting in and bumping IMPERIAL SEAL. GLORY STAR was then steadied to obtain a trailing position behind IMPERIAL SEAL. SPINNING DANCER had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 250 Metres was steadied out across the heels of PACKING GO GO and EXCELLENCE to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, EXCELLENCE momentarily raced tight inside the heels of KING’S MAN which shifted in under pressure before being directed out to relieve the tightening to EXCELLENCE. FAIR COMMENT lost its right front plate after the race. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong (IMPERIAL SEAL) stated that approaching the 1000 Metres he was racing behind PACKING GO GO and inside GLORY STAR which was travelling in a three wide position. He said he looked to his outside to ascertain whether GLORY STAR was being ridden along to improve its position around IMPERIAL SEAL or was travelling strongly enough to do so at that stage. He said passing the 1000 Metres IMPERIAL SEAL commenced to travel strongly and he therefore shifted out away from the heels of PACKING GO GO to avoid having to be checked away from the heels of that horse. After viewing the videos, Apprentice Wong agreed that in retrospect he should have made a greater effort to restrain IMPERIAL SEAL and continue to race behind PACKING GO GO rather than shifting to the outside of that horse prior to the 900 Metres which resulted in IMPERIAL SEAL travelling wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. Apprentice Wong will be advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they do not cover unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY FOLLOW ME 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, VICTORY FOLLOW ME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VICTORY FOLLOW ME, KING’S MAN and SMART UNION were sent for sampling.