10/03/2010  Happy Valley  Race 5

Shortly after the start, BLUE SKY, which was slow to begin, was crowded for room between REDRAGTOABULL and ROMA PEGASUS which shifted out away from LEGEND. Passing the 1600 Metres, LEGEND and ROMA PEGASUS raced tight inside DUMBARTON ROCK. Throughout the race, BEST FRIEND travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Trainer L Ho (FLUKE) stated that he instructed H W Lai to take up a forward position due to what he anticipated to be a race which would not be run at a fast tempo. He said as FLUKE was carrying only 115 lbs this evening, from barrier 10 and with a good run to the first turn, he felt that FLUKE would best be suited by being ridden in a forward position and dictating the tempo of the race rather than being ridden back in what turned out to be an average run race. When questioned, D Whyte (DUMBARTON ROCK) stated that prior to the race he had intended to obtain a position on the fence in the lead if possible. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position and was in the process of crossing other runners shortly after the start when he observed that ROMA PEGASUS and LEGEND were maintaining their positions to his inside. He said he was reluctant to push DUMBARTON ROCK along at this time to clear those runners as, in his opinion, the tempo of the race in the early stages was relatively strong and he was mindful that the horse was carrying 131 lbs. He said for this reason he elected to allow FLUKE to cross DUMBARTON ROCK from his outside and then allow DUMBARTON ROCK to take up a position to the outside of that horse where it travelled comfortably. When questioned regarding the performance of AMBITIOUS GENERAL, O Doleuze stated that, in his opinion, the horse did not stretch out on tonight’s racing surface and was disappointing in that it failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure. A veterinary inspection of BEST FRIEND and AMBITIOUS GENERAL after the race did not show any significant findings. LEGEND and DUMBARTON ROCK were sent for sampling. <11/3/2010 Additional Veterinary Report> AMBITIOUS GENERAL, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. AMBITIOUS GENERAL was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D J Hall this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, AMBITIOUS GENERAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.