19/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 4

BRILLIANT FLASH began awkwardly and lost ground. Shortly after the start, PURE ALPHA was crowded for room between STRIKING MASCOT and GENIUS MASTER (S K Sit) which shifted out. S K Sit was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to strop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. Near the 1300 Metres, PURE ALPHA was checked when awkwardly placed between STRIKING MASCOT and ALL OUR WAY, both of which shifted ground. In the early stages, REWARDING STAR travelled wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was allowed to stride forward. After the 1200 Metres, GENIUS MASTER was left racing without cover. At the 150 Metres, W M Lai (KINGSTON WINNER) dropped his left rein. Consideration was given to a protest/objection lodged by B Prebble (CITY SURFER), 2nd placegetter, against KINGSTON WINNER being declared the winner for alleged interference in the initial stages of the race. The evidence disclosed that on jumping KINGSTON WINNER shifted in and bumped CITY SURFER which began awkwardly and shifted out slightly. The Stewards believed that CITY SURFER had itself contributed to this incident and having in mind the manner in which the race was run afterwards, they were of the opinion the protest/objection should be overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. Whilst the Stewards accepted CITY SURFER had received interference at the start, they nonetheless advised B Prebble that his protest/objection bordered on being frivolous. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of STRIKING MASCOT, D Whyte said the intention had been to ride the horse in a forward position. He said after being boxed, STRIKING MASCOT became fractious, lunged forward and broke open the front gate of its stall. He said STRIKING MASCOT then began only fairly and shortly afterwards was bumped. He said after this STRIKING MASCOT travelled further back than intended. He said STRIKING MASCOT travelled only fairly throughout the race, came under pressure at the 600 Metres and failed to respond to his riding. STRIKING MASCOT was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, STRIKING MASCOT was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had sustained an abrasion wound to the left front cannon. ELECTRONIC MASTER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ELECTRONIC MASTER after the race did not show any significant findings. KINGSTON WINNER and CITY SURFER were sent for sampling.