20/06/2010  Happy Valley  Race 5

NORDIC STAR and CARRY GOOD NEWS made heavy contact at the start. After this, CARRY GOOD NEWS, despite being vigorously ridden along, was slow to muster speed. Near the 300 Metres, NICKU was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAGIC TURBO when being shifted to the inside of that horse to improve. For some distance after this, NICKU raced tight inside MAGIC TURBO. Close to the finishing line, NICKU became unbalanced when racing in restricted room to the inside of MAGIC TURBO. When questioned, W M Lai (BULB TREASURE) stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position one off the fence and it was hoped that this would be in a forward position. He said in the early part of the race when a number of runners to his inside were ridden along to obtain forward positions, he formed the view he would have had to make considerable use of BULB TREASURE to clear those runners to his inside to obtain a position closer to the fence and even if he had done this, he felt that he may have been left racing wide which would be contrary to his instructions. He said therefore shortly after the start he elected to take hold of BULB TREASURE and obtain a position with cover behind runners. When questioned regarding his riding of the horse near the 500 Metres, W M Lai stated that leading up to this he had been racing behind LUCKY AMICI. He said near the 500 Metres he was caught unawares when CARRY GOOD NEWS and AMAZING FORTUNE improved their positions to his outside and it was for this reason that he did not shift to the outside of LUCKY AMICI at this time in an endeavour to improve his position. He said irrespective of this BULB TREASURE ran disappointingly today in that it failed to close off the race. W M Lai was advised that his riding of the horse near the 500 Metres had come to the notice of the Stewards and that he should have positioned BULB TREASURE to the outside of LUCKY AMICI to prevent CARRY GOOD NEWS and AMAZING FORTUNE improving their positions around him at this time. He was reminded of the direction of the Licensing Committee at their meeting conducted on 10 June 2010 that a number of his rides this season had attracted the attention of the Stewards and that his riding performance during the remainder of this season and next season will be closely monitored. W M Lai was further advised that at all times he should ride his mounts in such a manner so as to leave no room for query. A veterinary inspection of BULB TREASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HOT PEPPER after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HOT PEPPER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. POTENTIAL, VIVA GUY and JOLLY WONGCHOY were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that STILLYOUTURNMEON had lost its right front plate.