17/03/2010  Happy Valley  Race 3

ROYAL PORTRAIT was slow to begin. SOMETHING SPECIAL began awkwardly and then after being ridden along in the early stages was checked away from the heels of SUCCESSFUL ERA for some distance approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion. Then approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, SOMETHING SPECIAL proved difficult to settle. At the 1000 Metres, RECORD HIGH got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALL TIME HIGH. CENTURY MOLLY and DARPANA, which were following, were hampered in consequence. Near the 800 Metres, THE WITCH’S BROOM was shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOMETHING SPECIAL. DARPANA was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn. In the early part of the Straight, SOMETHING SPECIAL got its head on the side and lay in, then passing the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between HARRY HARRY (Apprentice M L Yeung) and THE WITCH’S BROOM (B Doyle), both of which shifted ground. Both Apprentice Yeung and B Doyle were advised to make every endeavour to keep their mounts on a straight course in similar circumstances. After this, SOMETHING SPECIAL was not able to obtain clear running and consequently was not fully tested. Over the concluding stages, CARRY GOOD NEWS got its head on the side and shifted in away from GIVE WELL. J Lloyd (RECORD HIGH) said that shortly after entering the Straight he attempted to obtain a run to the inside of ALL TIME HIGH, however, as he was doing this, DARPANA improved to his inside, therefore he elected to attempt to obtain a run to the outside of ALL TIME HIGH. He said approaching the 200 Metres as he was shifting to the outside of that horse, he received a call from the rider of CENTURY MOLLY who had established running to the outside of RECORD HIGH and inside SUCCESSFUL ERA. He said that had he continued to shift to the outside of ALL TIME HIGH, he would have caused interference to CENTURY MOLLY, therefore he was obliged to shift RECORD HIGH back in so as to prevent causing interference to CENTURY MOLLY. He said after this RECORD HIGH was held up for clear running behind ALL TIME HIGH and consequently he was not able to test the horse for the remainder of the race. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung (SOMETHING SPECIAL) stated that when THE WITCH’S BROOM improved to be racing outside of SUCCESSFUL ERA passing the 600 Metres, he considered shifting out to follow that horse, however, he elected to remain racing behind SUCCESSFUL ERA for a short distance. He said when he attempted to shift behind THE WITCH’S BROOM, he was unable to shift out further to that horse’s outside due to CARRY GOOD NEWS improving quickly to his outside. He said at this time he received a call from the rider of CARRY GOOD NEWS and he was reluctant to shift out on SOMETHING SPECIAL as he believed he may cause interference to that horse. Apprentice Leung was advised that his riding at that stage of the race lacked the necessary judgement and initiative and that he should have positioned his mount to shift to the outside of THE WITCH’S BROOM which would have afforded SOMETHING SPECIAL with clear running. He was further advised that he should, wherever possible, improve into advantageous positions. When questioned regarding the performance of CENTURY MOLLY, C W Wong stated that the horse, which had the tongue tie reapplied tonight, raced keenly in the early and middle stages and because of this was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of RECORD HIGH and CENTURY MOLLY after the race did not show any significant findings. RECORD HIGH, GIVE WELL and CARRY GOOD NEWS were sent for sampling.