29/10/2017  Happy Valley  Race 2

When in the Parade Ring, OPEN HOUSE kicked a rail. Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that OPEN HOUSE had sustained a laceration to the left hind cannon and as such was not suitable to race, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, OPEN HOUSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOOD CHOICE AHEAD began only fairly. From wide barriers, LOVE CHUNGHWA and FLYING FORCE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SACRED IBIS got its head on the side and made the turn near the 1000 Metres awkwardly. SACRED IBIS again made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly, shifted out and inconvenienced JOYFUL FOREVER. Making the turn passing the 1000 Metres, FLYING FORCE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SICHUAN CHIEF when attempting to obtain a position with cover behind that horse. FLYING FORCE then made the turn awkwardly, got its head up on a number of occasions and travelled wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. Passing the 900 Metres, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROYAL CHOCOLATE. Passing the 400 Metres, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NONE OTHER. LOVE CHUNGHWA had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 75 Metres, NONE OTHER momentarily raced tight inside PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT which shifted in. When questioned, Z Purton stated that it had been intended for LIGHTNING MISSILE to be ridden in a forward position. He said after being placed in the barriers LIGHTNING MISSILE was fractious and turned its head to the side on a number of occasions and then as the start was effected again turned its head to the left which resulted in the horse being slow to begin. He said because of the manner in which LIGHTNING MISSILE began, he elected to shift his mount across behind runners in the early stages as he believed it was no longer an option for him to pursue a forward position. He said after this LIGHTNING MISSILE travelled satisfactorily, however, in the Straight finished off the race only one-paced and, in his opinion, raced disappointingly. A veterinary inspection of LIGHTNING MISSILE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LOVE CHUNGHWA, SACRED IBIS and ROYAL CHOCOLATE were sent for sampling.