13/10/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

Shortly after the start, TRAVEL GUIDE was steadied when crowded for room between BEAUTY SUCCESS which shifted out and AMBITIOUS OWNER which at this time was taken in by GILDED FLIGHT which got its head on the side and shifted in. Also shortly after the start, PACKING BUDDY was steadied away from the heels of GILDED FLIGHT which shifted out when being ridden along. From the outside barrier, MARK UP was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. For a short distance after the start, MASTER GUNNER raced in restricted room between JUGGERNAUT and UPGRADING. Rounding the Home Turn, MARK UP was shifted out across the heels of HAPPY SEVEN to obtain clear running. For some distance approaching the 200 Metres, TRAVEL GUIDE raced tight inside MASTER GUNNER which, after shifting to the inside of JUGGERNAUT to obtain clear running, was taken in by that horse. When questioned, M Chadwick (BEAUTY SUCCESS) said that the horse, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong tonight, had to be used somewhat to clear FUN RIDER to its inside passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said after being in a position to cross FUN RIDER, GILDED FLIGHT, which was racing in advance of BEAUTY SUCCESS, was shifted away from the fence into a position outside the hindquarters of the leader, QUANTUM EXPRESS. He said this resulted in BEAUTY SUCCESS continuing to race in a three wide position. He said passing the 1000 Metres whilst he was racing in advance of GILDED FLIGHT, he did not feel that he was in a position to clear that horse as he would have had to ride the horse along and having in mind that he had made use of BEAUTY SUCCESS in the early stages, he felt that this would not be in BEAUTY SUCCESS` best interests. He said because of this BEAUTY SUCCESS was obliged to continue racing three wide and without cover. M Chadwick was advised his explanation would be reported, however, he should wherever possible avoid covering unnecessary ground. When questioned, B Prebble stated that due to the anticipated fast tempo of the race, after consultation with Trainer K L Man, it had been decided to ride HAPPY SEVEN in a position behind the speed if possible. He said accordingly he did not ride HAPPY SEVEN along in the early stages, but waited to see whether PACKING BUDDY, which had been drawn to its inside, would be ridden in a forward position which would afford him an opportunity to shift HAPPY SEVEN across behind that horse. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion HAPPY SEVEN was left racing wide and after being bumped by PACKING BUDDY got its head on the side and commenced to hang out. He said after this, rather than remain racing wide, he shifted HAPPY SEVEN across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the fence, however, HAPPY SEVEN continued to hang out and proved awkward to ride. He said because of the circumstances of the race and the manner in which HAPPY SEVEN was travelling, the horse raced further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SEVEN after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MASTER GUNNER had sustained a cut to its left front cannon. FUN RIDER, UPGRADING and MARK UP were sent for sampling.