08/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 5

WING MASTER, which was standing badly, was slow to begin. On jumping, MARBLE RED and SUPERB GAINS were taken back. MAGIC TURBO was slow into stride. Near the 600 Metres, SUPERB GAINS, which was being ridden along to make up ground, was checked to avoid the heels of GREAT UNITY which shifted in while being steadied when awkwardly placed between MAGIC TURBO and SHAXI BABY. At the 250 Metres, ASIAN CITRUS was momentarily tightened for room inside OUR LUCKY BABY which got its head on the side and hung in. In the Straight, WING MASTER hung in and proved difficult to ride. Apprentice K C Leung (SUPER PLUS) explained he had been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position. He said SUPER PLUS began only fairly, he then rode along in the early stages in accordance with his instructions, however, OUR LUCKY BABY which had drawn to his outside showed superior speed. He said in the run to the turn at the 1000 Metres SUPER PLUS got its head on the side and hung in away from OUR LUCKY BABY and because of this was not able to cross runners to his inside. He said in the Back Straight SUPER PLUS raced wide and without cover and near the 800 Metres he momentarily steadied SUPER PLUS to see if there was an opportunity for him to obtain a position with cover, however, when this was not possible he again allowed SUPER PLUS to go forward approaching the turn at the 600 Metres. He said in the Straight SUPER PLUS when giving ground raced ungenerously. He said in his opinion the poor performance of SUPER PLUS was due to the ground the horse was required to cover in the run and the horse is best suited when racing on the rail. SUPER PLUS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SUPER PLUS after the race did not show any significant findings. OUR LUCKY BABY and ASIAN CITRUS were sent for sampling.