11/07/2018  Happy Valley  Race 6

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that WAYFOONG VINNIE was lame in its right front leg. Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that WAYFOONG VINNIE was not suitable to race, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of that horse. Before being allowed to race again, WAYFOONG VINNIE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KEEP MOVING began awkwardly and then was bumped by GENERAL IRON which shifted in. After this, GENERAL IRON was steadied to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, JOYFUL FAMILY shifted out and bumped KEEP MOVING, causing both horses to become unbalanced. From wide barriers, JOY MASTER and GENEROUS HEART were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, SAUL’S SPECIAL and STORM SIGNAL raced tight. After being bumped by KEEP MOVING (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted out marginally near the 400 Metres, DEMONS ROCK shifted out abruptly away from that horse, resulting in GENERAL IRON, which was following DEMONS ROCK, being severely checked away from the heels of that horse and making the Home Turn very wide. Apprentice Poon was advised that whilst his mount did not shift a significant amount of ground in this incident and that DEMONS ROCK had over-reacted to the contact, nonetheless he was warned against the practice of using the whip on horses rounding a turn. After this, GENERAL IRON was eased down. Given the severe interference suffered by GENERAL IRON, the Stewards ruled that no further action was required to be taken against the horse despite it finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of GENERAL IRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Passing the 300 Metres, SAUL’S SPECIAL shifted out to obtain clear running and brushed BEAUTY LOYAL. Approaching the 200 Metres, GENEROUS HEART was directed out away from the heels of JOY MASTER as that horse shifted out to obtain clear running. Close to the finishing line, HEALTHY LUCK was awkwardly placed outside the heels of BEAUTY LOYAL and consequently was not able to be ridden out over the concluding stages. For the majority of the race, HEALTHY LUCK travelled wide and without cover. The performance of DEMONS ROCK, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DEMONS ROCK will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DEMONS ROCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEALTHY LUCK, SAUL’S SPECIAL and STORM SIGNAL were sent for sampling.