01/02/2012  Happy Valley  Race 2

HANNIBAL BARCA was withdrawn on 30.1.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inflamed left fore tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter RIDE ON THE FIRE. Before being allowed to race again, HANNIBAL BARCA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SECRET OF WINNING began awkwardly. DIAMOND KNIGHT was slow to begin. WINSOME began awkwardly and shifted in, resulting in BLAZE RAIDER being crowded for room outside SPICY SHRIMP which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by BLAZE RAIDER. SUPREME DE UNION (D Whyte) was checked at the start when crowded for room between SPICY SHRIMP and MI SAVVY which was taken out by DEPOSER. D Whyte stated that after being crowded for room SUPREME DE UNION refused to stretch out despite being ridden along, got its head up and raced awkwardly. He said as a consequence SUPREME DE UNION became detached from the field in the early and middle stages. The performance of SUPREME DE UNION was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPREME DE UNION will be required to perform competitively in an official barrier trial. After the 800 Metres, SPICY SHRIMP was steadied away from the heels of OCEAN WIDE which shifted in slightly. Approaching the 600 Metres, MI SAVVY got its head up and raced ungenerously when crowded for room inside OCEAN WIDE which, after being crossed by GREEN EAGLE (M Du Plessis) when it was not properly clear, then got its head on the side and shifted in away from the heels of GREEN EAGLE which was steadied. M Du Plessis was advised that whilst there were some circumstances involved in this incident, he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting across other runners in future. Approaching the 400 Metres, OCEAN WIDE was checked away from the heels of GREEN EAGLE. MI SAVVY, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, OCEAN WIDE raced in restricted room between GREEN EAGLE and MI SAVVY which shifted out. Throughout the race, SECRET OF WINNING and KING OF THE DAY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M Du Plessis stated that following its only race start in Hong Kong when successful, GREEN EAGLE had barrier trialed at Sha Tin and had shown good early speed in this trial. He said as he and the connections of GREEN EAGLE had formed the opinion that the horse had “sharpened up” after its first race start, it was decided, from barrier 10 tonight, to ride GREEN EAGLE positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position. A veterinary inspection of KING OF THE DAY, SUPREME DE UNION and SPICY SHRIMP after the race did not show any significant findings. GREEN EAGLE, RIDE ON THE FIRE and MI SAVVY were sent for sampling.