29/11/2017  Happy Valley  Race 4

HAYMAKER was slow to begin. GOLDEN DEER and MASSIVE POWER bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, GOLDEN DEER was steadied away from the heels of SEVEN LUCK which was taken out by FORTUNE BROTHERS which in turn was taken out marginally by KIM GLORY. From the outside barriers, VICTOR EMPEROR and CHEERS CONQUEROR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, VICTOR EMPEROR got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of LAUGHING LORD. Approaching the 800 Metres, LAUGHING LORD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASSIVE POWER. Near the 550 Metres, FORTUNE BROTHERS got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of VICTORY DUKE. Passing the 500 Metres, LAUGHING LORD was shifted out away from the heels of HAYMAKER. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, HAYMAKER and GOOD METHOD bumped on a number of occasions due to both horses shifting ground. After the 200 Metres, SEVEN LUCK was awkwardly placed when improving into tight running between VICTORY DUKE and KIM GLORY. Throughout the race, ROCKET LET WIN travelled wide and without cover. VICTORY DUKE lost its left front plate after the race. After the race, U Rispoli (MASSIVE POWER) reported that after travelling well, he placed the horse under pressure after the 600 Metres, however, it did not respond to his riding and gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of MASSIVE POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of VICTORY DUKE, N Rawiller stated that his mount began extremely well and he rode it along to take advantage of this so as to clear SEVEN LUCK and FORTUNE BROTHERS which he expected to take up a forward position. He said he was able to shift in to race outside KIM GLORY in the early stages without having to make use of his horse and VICTORY DUKE subsequently travelled comfortably when racing outside and slightly behind KIM GLORY. He said approaching the 700 Metres VICTORY DUKE became unbalanced in its action but after this quickly regained its normal action and he was satisfied with the manner in which his mount was travelling. He added he placed VICTORY DUKE under pressure rounding the Home Turn and the horse initially responded satisfactorily to his riding, however, shortened stride near the 150 Metres and then weakened badly over the final 100 Metres indicating to him that the horse may have been experiencing a problem. He said he was not able to identify any lameness issues with VICTORY DUKE, however, the manner in which the horse weakened was in contrast to the way it finished off the race strongly at its last start when successful over the course and distance. Trainer R Gibson was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of VICTORY DUKE as the horse had done particularly well since its last start win. He said the manner in which VICTORY DUKE gave ground over the final stages indicated to him that the horse may have sustained an injury, however, no injuries were detectable immediately after the race. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY DUKE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of VICTORY DUKE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY DUKE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAYMAKER and SEVEN LUCK were sent for sampling.