16/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 9

After leaving the Parade Ring, BEAR AGAIN took charge of its rider for some distance before being able to be brought under control. BEAR AGAIN then proceeded to the Start and on arrival behind the barriers was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was displaying a normal heart rate and that after consulting M F Poon, the rider of BEAR AGAIN, was suitable to race. After the race, M F Poon stated that he was satisfied to ride BEAR AGAIN given that after bringing the horse under control, he felt that BEAR AGAIN’s action was in order and believed that the horse would be able to race competitively. He said however that passing the winning post on the first occasion BEAR AGAIN’s action shortened noticeably. He said he continued to allow BEAR AGAIN to remain racing as he could not detect anything noticeably wrong with the horse, however, approaching the 1000 Metres the horse’s action continued to deteriorate and therefore he eased it out of the race after the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection of BEAR AGAIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. As this was the second occasion in recent starts that a rider had expressed concern regarding the action of BEAR AGAIN, the Stewards referred this matter to the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy for further assessment. Further, the Stewards ruled that BEAR AGAIN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. GALLANT CROWN (K Teetan) was hampered on jumping when bumped by KINDA COOL which was taken out by STORM LEGEND. After this, GALLANT CROWN was ridden along for some distance, however, when racing wide approaching the winning post on the first occasion was steadied to obtain cover behind KINDA COOL. K Teetan stated that it was intended for GALLANT CROWN to be ridden in a forward position tonight and to follow SOULMATE if possible. He said after being hampered at the start and then riding his mount along to try and improve his position, he believed that he would have had to make too much use of GALLANT CROWN to clear KINDA COOL which was being ridden along to maintain its position. He said as LEAP OF FAITH, which was drawn outside GALLANT CROWN, already had an advantage over his mount in the early stages, he felt that the best opportunity for GALLANT CROWN to finish the race off was to steady his mount and obtain cover rather than continue forward. A veterinary inspection of GALLANT CROWN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAR AGAIN shifted in at the start and inconvenienced SOULMATE. From the outside barriers, KING TOURBILLON, READY PLAYER ONE and HAPPY ANGEL were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 500 Metres, KING TOURBILLON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BARON ZEE. A veterinary inspection of KINDA COOL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GALLANT CROWN, SOULMATE and STORM LEGEND were sent for sampling.