24/04/2019  Happy Valley  Race 2

FINE WITH ME was withdrawn on 22.4.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MISTER MONTE. As previously advised, FINE WITH ME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. PERFECT TO PLAY, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then lost ground when crowded for room between VICTORIOUS LEADER and YOU HAVE MY WORD which was taken out by WICKER which in turn was taken out by ABOVE. After this, PERFECT TO PLAY and VICTORIOUS LEADER were steadied and shifted across behind runners. Also from a wide barrier, GOLDEN KID was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1300 Metres, MY FAMILY got its head up when travelling keenly. Approaching the 1200 Metres, PERFECT TO PLAY was steadied away from the heels of ABOVE. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, WICKER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING. Passing the 1100 Metres, VICTORIOUS LEADER got its head up when being checked away from the heels of WICKER. Passing the 900 Metres, VICTORIOUS LEADER again got its head up when being checked away from the heels of WICKER which travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind ELECTRIC LIGHTNING. Near the 850 Metres, YOU HAVE MY WORD, which was travelling wide and without cover, was taken wider by ELECTRIC LIGHTNING which shifted out to improve. After this, YOU HAVE MY WORD continued to travel wide and without cover. PERFECT TO PLAY was held up for clear running passing the 400 Metres and then shifted out and bumped WICKER shortly after straightening. Passing the 300 Metres, YOU HAVE MY WORD raced tight outside MEDIC DRAGON which shifted out to improve to the outside of MISTER MONTE. Also passing the 300 Metres, the whip of T H So (EPTIMUM) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of M Harley (ELECTRIC LIGHTNING) and then approaching the 200 Metres T H So dropped his left rein. Near the 200 Metres, WICKER was momentarily awkwardly placed behind MISTER MONTE. After the 150 Metres, VICTORIUS LEADER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of YOU HAVE MY WORD. Approaching the 100 Metres, PERFECT TO PLAY was shifted out away from the heels of MY FAMILY to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of VICTORIOUS LEADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT TO PLAY, MY FAMILY and ELECTRIC LIGHTNING were sent for sampling.