15/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 1

CHALLENGER was withdrawn on 14.10.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ALL FOR ONE. Before being allowed to race again, CHALLENGER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DENDRANTHEMA LOVE was slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, TRAVEL LEADER failed to muster speed and near the 1500 Metres was steadied away from the heels of NATURAL ECHO as that horse was steadied to obtain a position with cover. In the early and middle stages, ROCKALOT travelled wide and without cover. Making the Home Turn, DENDRANTHEMA LOVE was awkwardly placed when racing in restricted room between TRAVEL LEADER and ENERGETIC BOY. At the 200 Metres, NATURAL ECHO was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of SUPER POWER. Over the final 200 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 50 Metres, BAUHINIA was steadied away from the heels of BATURO. Close to the winning post, WATCHMAN was brushed by ROCKALOT which shifted in. D Whyte (BATURO) was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s poor performance. He said BATURO enjoyed a comfortable run behind the lead in the race where the tempo was only moderate. He said prior to straightening he shifted out in an attempt to improve and initially his mount kept on one-paced, however, over the final 200 Metres gave ground. BATURO was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. NATURAL ECHO was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of BATURO and NATURAL ECHO after the race did not show any significant findings. VITALITY CHAMP and SERIOUS PLAY were sent for sampling.