27/02/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

LOCAL POWER was withdrawn on 26.2.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter I'M NO SQUARE (C K Tong). Before being allowed to race again, LOCAL POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ELECTRONICS SPUR began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped FANTASTIC DANCER. Shortly after the start, I'M NO SQUARE, which had been taken back after beginning awkwardly, was steadied when crowded for room between AMSTERDAM and REAL SPECIAL which shifted in after being bumped by WARM EMBRACES. Near the 1600 Metres, ELECTRONICS SPUR became unbalanced and lost its position after initially bumping the hindquarters of FORTUNE WARRIOR and then being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SILVER MARK which got its head on the side and shifted in away from PRIME TARGET. No action was taken. Approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, FORTUNE WARRIOR raced tight inside SILVER MARK which was endeavouring to shift in. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, NASA PEARL was steadied away from the heels of VIVA FIGHTER which shifted out momentarily. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, NASA PEARL got its head on the side and hung in, causing crowding to FORTUNE WARRIOR which was racing on its inside. On entering the Back Straight, PRIME TARGET was carried out slightly into a three wide position by VIVA FIGHTER. Approaching the 800 Metres, VIVA FIGHTER got its head on the side, commenced to hang out badly and shifted out when not clear of PRIME TARGET which as a result was checked. After this, VIVA FIGHTER continued to hang out approaching the turn at the 600 Metres. In the circumstances, no action was taken. After the 800 Metres, MASTERY raced tight inside PRIME TARGET which at this time shifted in. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, REAL SPECIAL became unbalanced and lost ground after bumping the hindquarters of WARM EMBRACES. PRIME TARGET, which was following, was inconvenienced. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, I'M NO SQUARE, which was closing the race off strongly, was steadied when unable to obtain clear running inside AMSTERDAM and behind WARM EMBRACES which was giving ground. After the 200 Metres, Y T Cheng (FORTUNE WARRIOR) dropped his whip. When questioned regarding the poor performance of FANTASTIC DANCER which was having its first start at Happy Valley, M Nunes said he went forward in the early stages as instructed. He said when it became apparent to him that WARM EMBRACES was intent on obtaining the lead, he elected to allow that horse to cross. He said after this FANTASTIC DANCER travelled kindly in a position with cover, however, when the tempo of the race quickened near the 600 Metres, FANTASTIC DANCER was left flat-footed. He said in the Straight FANTASTIC DANCER did not finish the race off. He said in his opinion FANTASTIC DANCER was not suited being ridden in a position with cover in what eventuated into a slow tempo race. When questioned regarding the poor performance of REAL SPECIAL, F Coetzee said in his opinion the horse did not handle the Happy Valley track at its first time of asking. He said he went forward in the early stages, however, was not able to obtain a position with cover and as a consequence REAL SPECIAL did not relax. He said at the 600 Metres when VIVA FIGHTER improved to his outside, he was reluctant to ride along to prevent that horse from crossing as in his opinion given the manner in which REAL SPECIAL had been racing, the horse would not have been able to finish the race off if placed under pressure at that point. He said REAL SPECIAL became unbalanced on the Home Turn, then in the Straight hung in which it has done in the past and proved difficult for him to ride. FANTASTIC DANCER and I'M NO SQUARE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FANTASTIC DANCER and I'M NO SQUARE after the race did not show any significant findings. REAL SPECIAL, MASTERY and VIVA FIGHTER were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported AMSTERDAM had lost its right front plate.