25/11/2009  Happy Valley  Race 6

The bridle fitted to GOLD WINNER, which was fractious in the Parade Ring, was refitted prior to the horse entering the track. KEEN SOUL began awkwardly. CAT STORM was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, FINN MACCOOL was steadied when crowded for room between CAT STORM and GOLD WINNER which shifted in. For some distance passing the 700 Metres, FINN MACCOOL proved difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of CAT STORM. For a short distance approaching the 600 Metres, KEEN SOUL raced tight inside LONGWAH RISING which shifted in when barely clear. Near the 600 Metres, CAT STORM shifted in and brushed the running rail. Rounding the Home Turn, EASY raced tight inside KEEN SOUL which itself was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LONGWAH RISING. Near the 300 Metres, CAT STORM was steadied when disappointed for running inside EASY. After this, CAT STORM was not able to obtain clear running and consequently was not properly tested. Also approaching the 300 Metres, KINGIFLY was checked when disappointed for running between LONGWAH RISING, which was weakening, and TRUE INTELLIGENCE. BEJEWELED, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Near the 200 Metres, TRUE INTELLIGENCE shifted in and bumped LONGWAH RISING which became unbalanced. Passing the 200 Metres, FINN MACCOOL and KEEN SOUL bumped as FINN MACCOOL shifted to the outside of GOLD WINNER into clear running. For the majority of the race, TRUE INTELLIGENCE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Winks (HANDSOME BATCHELOR) stated that from barrier 11 he had been instructed to ride his horse, which was having its first start in Hong Kong, at the rear of the field. He said near the 600 Metres he was following FINN MACCOOL and when that horse was awkwardly placed close to the heels of runners in front, he elected to shift to the outside of that horse and followed BEJEWELED. He said at the entrance to the Straight, rather than covering unnecessary ground, he shifted HANDSOME BATCHELOR to the inside of BEJEWELED as there was clear running to the inside of that horse. He said he immediately placed HANDSOME BATCHELOR under pressure, the horse responded well, however, near the 150 Metres he was disappointed for a run between KEEN SOUL and LONGWAH RISING. He said for this reason he was obliged to alter course to the inside of KEEN SOUL which resulted in HANDSOME BATCHELOR losing momentum. He said had he been able to obtain this run, he was of the opinion that HANDSOME BATCHELOR would have finished closer to the placegetters at the finish. Following the race, D Whyte reported that on pulling up he observed that BEJEWELED had its tongue over the bit. A veterinary inspection of BEJEWELED after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LONGWAH RISING including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. CAT STORM, FINN MACCOOL and EASY were sent for sampling.