21/05/2014  Happy Valley  Race 2

CREATIVE UNION was withdrawn on 19.5.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left front foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ALWAYS WONDERFUL (T Berry). GIDEON was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Before being allowed to race again, CREATIVE UNION and GIDEON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHINA POWER and LUCKY PIONEER began only fairly. From a wide barrier, ALWAYS WONDERFUL got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied in order to shift across behind runners and obtain cover in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, HURRY HURRY UP failed to muster speed. Near the 600 Metres, CHINA POWER was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXCEL ONESELF. Passing the 300 Metres, EXCEL ONESELF shifted out away from the heels of BRILLIANT PROPOSAL (Apprentice C Y Lui) which shifted out. MONTE CASTELLO, which was following EXCEL ONESELF, was shifted away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Apprentice Lui was advised to exercise more care. Then near the 150 Metres, EXCEL ONESELF and BRILLIANT PROPOSAL raced tight due to BRILLIANT PROPOSAL again shifting out under pressure. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he was advised to have REAL FIT in about 2nd or 3rd position if possible but not to ride his mount aggressively to do so. He said when REAL FIT had been successful in a barrier trial in the lead up to tonight’s race, it had led that trial, however, it had been able to obtain the lead easily in the early stages without having to be ridden along. He said tonight REAL FIT began fairly, however, OCEAN ROAR to his outside and BRILLIANT PROPOSAL to his inside were vigorously ridden along in the early stages to take up forward positions. He said as REAL FIT would not be able to obtain a forward position without considerable use having to be made of the horse in the early stages to cross BRILLIANT PROPOSAL to its inside, he elected to shift REAL FIT across behind runners and obtain a position closer to the rail with cover. He added rounding the Home Turn he was following KING TAI SING and as that horse was inclined to lay out, he elected to shift to its inside rather than being taken unnecessarily wide. He said in the Straight REAL FIT then closed off the race satisfactorily. He said, in his opinion, REAL FIT would be better suited by being stepped up in distance to 1200 Metres and he advised Trainer A S Cruz accordingly following the race. A veterinary inspection of CHINA POWER and HURRY HURRY UP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. REAL FIT, EXCEL ONESELF and NAZAKAT’S LAD were sent for sampling.