05/01/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

VIVA GUY was slow to begin. KYARA began awkwardly. MY MATE ADRIC began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped PROJECT RUNWAY which then shifted in and bumped MY GOAL. In the early stages, OTTIMO was slow to muster speed. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, OTTIMO was steadied away from the heels of MY MATE ADRIC (H W Lai) which shifted in when not properly clear. H W Lai was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in future. MY GOAL travelled wide and without cover until passing the 700 Metres. VIVA GUY had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 100 Metres was shifted to the outside of PROJECT RUNWAY which was commencing to give ground. Throughout the race, GOOD LUCK WIN got its head on the side and lay out. When questioned regarding his riding of PROJECT RUNWAY, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed to lead on the horse if possible. He said he rode PROJECT RUNWAY along in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and was able to find the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said when he attempted to steady PROJECT RUNWAY, the horse got its head up slightly which gave him the indication that it may over-race if he continued to restrain it. He said for this reason he initially allowed PROJECT RUNWAY to stride along and he then attempted, from the 1000 Metres, to get the horse to relax underneath him. He said although he was aware that PROJECT RUNWAY was setting a faster tempo than he would have wished, he was not aware that the horse had opened up a margin on the field. M Chadwick was advised that his ride on PROJECT RUNWAY lacked the appropriate level of judgement and in future he must ride his mounts in such a fashion so that they are able to finish off their races. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung (MY GOAL) stated that rounding the Home Turn PROJECT RUNWAY, which was racing to his inside, became unbalanced and shifted out. He said as he felt that PROJECT RUNWAY may shift out further and having in mind he was racing to the outside of the heels of that horse, he momentarily took hold of MY GOAL. He said when PROJECT RUNWAY did not continue to shift out, he commenced to ride MY GOAL along again, however, the horse got its head on the side and hung in badly shortly after straightening. He added MY GOAL then continued to hang in for the remainder of the race and because of this he was not able to properly ride the horse out. A veterinary inspection of MY GOAL after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MY GOAL, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MY GOAL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of O’REILLY MAGIC, G Mossé stated that although the horse travelled three wide throughout the race, O’REILLY MAGIC had cover until about the 700 Metres. He said whilst O’REILLY MAGIC raced without cover from the 700 Metres, the horse came under pressure near the 500 Metres and he was obliged to commenced riding it along. He said despite his riding of O’REILLY MAGIC, the horse did not respond and was most disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of O’REILLY MAGIC and QUANTUM EXPRESS after the race did not show any significant findings. VIVA GUY, MY MATE ADRIC and HO WONGCHOY were sent for sampling.