10/07/2013  Happy Valley  Race 2

From a wide barrier, SPICY SIAM was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, ABLE DRAGON momentarily raced tight inside LUCKY CHEVALIER. ABLE DRAGON was then ridden along to maintain its position inside LUCKY CHEVALIER, however, near the 1300 Metres was steadied when crowded for room inside LUCKY CHEVALIER which at this time was racing tight inside KINGSTON ELITE which itself was racing tight inside GOLD TARTINI. After being left racing wide and without cover after the 1200 Metres, GOOD TIMES ROLL was allowed to stride forward to assume the lead. Approaching the 1000 Metres, LUCKY CHEVALIER raced tight inside KINGSTON ELITE which commenced to over-race and improved inside the heels of DYNAMIC CROSS where there was insufficient room despite the efforts of its rider to maintain a position one horse off the rail behind that horse. Also approaching the 1000 Metres, GOLD TARTINI, which for the majority of the race travelled wide and without cover, became unbalanced and got its head up when being steadied. Near the 700 Metres, SPICY SIAM became unbalanced. After the 600 Metres, LUCKY ARMY got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of O’REILLY MAGIC. At the entrance to the Straight, DYNAMIC CROSS got its head on the side, shifted in and made contact with GOOD TIMES ROLL which became unbalanced. MEGA POSH, which was following GOOD TIMES ROLL, was shifted to the inside of the heels of that horse to obtain clear running. A short distance after this, MEGA POSH momentarily raced tight inside GOOD TIMES ROLL which shifted in slightly. After the 300 Metres, ABLE DRAGON, which was endeavouring to improve between O’REILLY MAGIC and LUCKY CHEVALIER, raced tight between those horses as a result of LUCKY CHEVALIER shifting to the outside of DYNAMIC CROSS into clear running. Then passing the 200 Metres, ABLE DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY CHEVALIER. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng stated that he had been asked to ride DYNAMIC CROSS in a forward position, however, it was felt that MEGA POSH, which had drawn barrier 1, would also be ridden along to take up a forward position. He said he was asked by Mr L Ho, the trainer of DYNAMIC CROSS, to race outside of MEGA POSH unless DYNAMIC CROSS began well and was able to cross MEGA POSH without too much use having to be made of the horse. He said DYNAMIC CROSS began only fairly, shifted out and bumped ABLE DRAGON at the start. He said he rode DYNAMIC CROSS across in the early stages and when MEGA POSH continued to maintain its position to the inside of DYNAMIC CROSS, he elected, approaching the winning post on the first occasion, to remain racing outside that horse. He added the tempo slowed passing the 1300 Metres and DYNAMIC CROSS initially proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. He said he did consider allowing DYNAMIC CROSS to stride forward at this time, however, he felt that MEGA POSH would continue to maintain its position to his inside and he felt that he would have had to do too much work to cross that horse which would not have been in the best interests of DYNAMIC CROSS and would have been contrary to instructions. A veterinary inspection of GOOD TIMES ROLL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MEGA POSH, NICKU and KINGSTON ELITE were sent for sampling. <11/7/2013 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that LUCKY ARMY had sustained an injury to the inside of the right front suspensory branch on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY ARMY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.