17/09/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

NEEDLES AND THREAD was withdrawn on 16.9.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetance) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY CRUSADER (O Doleuze). Before being allowed to race again, NEEDLES AND THREAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNING FELLOWSHIP was a little slow to begin, then became unbalanced and lost further ground after bumping with INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS. Approaching the Home Turn, INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS was unable to improve, then prior to straightening when being shifted out was steadied away from the heels of GLOBAL WIN. From on straightening until after the 200 Metres, WINNING FELLOWSHIP was held up and unable to obtain clear running. At the 250 Metres, DASHING THUNDER, which was commencing to close the race off, was checked and shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY CRUSADER which was giving ground. For a considerable distance after the 200 Metres, NOBLE HEART had difficulty obtaining clear running. For the major part of the race, GLOBAL WIN travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. B Prebble (SUPER CHARGE) explained the intention had been to ride the horse in the first four if possible. He said he allowed SUPER CHARGE to travel forward in the early stages, however, it did not show its usual speed. He said a number of runners drawn to his inside also went forward and he felt to have ridden SUPER CHARGE, which was racing first up from a spell tonight, along to cross those runners would have required him to make too much use of the horse and therefore near the 1300 Metres he elected to steady his mount to obtain a position with cover. He said SUPER CHARGE travelled comfortably in a midfield position. When questioned regarding the performance of HAPPY CRUSADER, O Doleuze said he rode his mount in a forward position as instructed. He said HAPPY CRUSADER travelled keenly in the early and middle stages of the race and came under pressure at the 700 Metres. He said after this HAPPY CRUSADER was under pressure to maintain its position and in the Straight gave ground quickly. HAPPY CRUSADER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY CRUSADER after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HAPPY CRUSADER was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, HAPPY CRUSADER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VICTORY TREASURE, MULTO EXPRESSO and KINGSGATE GLORY were sent for sampling.