30/03/2011  Happy Valley  Race 1

NOBLE TWINS was checked when crowded for room shortly after the start between JOYFUL YEARS which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by NOBLE TWINS and INCREDIBLE EAGLE which was taken out by GRAND GENERAL. In the early stages, CLOVIS was left racing wide and without cover and near the 900 Metres was taken out further by JOYFUL YEARS which shifted out to improve its position. Near the 150 Metres, NOBLE TWINS was shifted out across the heels of GOLDEN BOY to continue improving. Close to the finishing line, GOLDEN BOY turned its head towards MULTILOVE after being brushed by that horse. This was brought to the attention of Mr C W Chang, the trainer of GOLDEN BOY. When questioned regarding his riding of MULTILOVE, G Mossé stated that he had been instructed to be positive on the horse and lead if at all possible. He added that he was given implicit instructions that he was not to restrain MULTILOVE but rather he was to allow the horse to stride along as Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of the horse, was of the opinion that MULTILOVE does not appreciate being fought against as it is a free striding horse. He said in the early stages he rode MULTILOVE along vigorously to obtain the lead as instructed. He said after obtaining the lead near the winning post on the first occasion, he ceased riding the horse along and allowed it to stride freely in accordance with his instructions. He said he attempted to settle MULTILOVE without restraining the horse approaching the 1200 Metres, however, MULTILOVE would not relax and opened up a substantial margin over the remainder of the field. He said he was aware of the margin that MULTILOVE had established and that the horse was running quick sectionals. He said for this reason, despite his instructions, he steadied the horse after the 800 Metres and tried to get it to relax and run at more competitive sectionals. He said that when he did this, MULTILOVE did not over-race, but still did not relax. He added when GOLDEN BOY and JOYFUL YEARS improved their positions rounding the Home Turn to the outside of MULTILOVE, he commenced to ride the horse along again and MULTILOVE responded well to his riding until the concluding stages at which time it weakened. Mr Cruz confirmed that he had specifically instructed Jockey Mossé to obtain the lead on MULTILOVE and not to restrain the horse during the race as he is of the firm opinion that it does not perform at its best when being restrained and consequently fighting against its rider. He said three starts ago the horse ran its only placing in 9 starts when able to dictate the terms in front. He said on that occasion the rider allowed the horse to stride freely in the lead and whilst it did not open up a margin over the remainder of the field as it did tonight, it responded in the Straight when ridden in this manner. He said having in mind the manner in which he instructed Jockey Mossé to handle MULTILOVE, he was completely satisfied with the manner in which the horse was ridden tonight. G Mossé was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had been under explicit instructions on how MULTILOVE should be ridden, he must at all times ensure that his mounts are rated throughout the race so as to give them every opportunity to finish off the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JOYFUL YEARS, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that as is often the case, he allowed JOYFUL YEARS to improve its position near the 800 Metres. He said when he improved towards the lead, GOLDEN BOY raced in a position one off the fence and as JOYFUL YEARS was not able to clear GOLDEN BOY, his mount was required to race three wide and without cover until after straightening. He said that irrespective of this, in his opinion, JOYFUL YEARS was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL YEARS after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, B Doyle reported that FORTUNE WARRIOR did not stretch out in the Straight as he thought it should and, in his opinion, felt sore. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE WARRIOR immediately after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, FORTUNE WARRIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. INCREDIBLE EAGLE, GRAND GENERAL and GORGEOUS RULER were sent for sampling. <31/3/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>FORTUNE WARRIOR, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. FORTUNE WARRIOR was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer T W Leung this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the right front leg and have stiff action in both hind legs. As previously advised, FORTUNE WARRIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. JOYFUL YEARS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. JOYFUL YEARS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer L Ho this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL YEARS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.