20/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 8

TURBO KING was withdrawn prior to Race 1 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (mild fever and inappetance). Before being allowed to race again, TURBO KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FORTUNE RED PEPPER began awkwardly. AT MOMENT IN TIME was slow to begin. EASY WINNER was crowded for room at the start between HAPPY TUMBLER and HAPPY REUNION which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. After this, HAPPY TUMBLER was taken across behind runners. Shortly after the start, CHEVALIER KING and FOREVER ELATION bumped. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, AT MOMENT IN TIME got its head on the side and hung out towards the heels of CHEVALIER KING. AT MOMENT IN TIME continued to get its head on the side for some distance after this. After the 1000 Metres, TURF MAGIC was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHINING VICTORY. Near the 500 Metres, FORTUNE RED PEPPER was steadied when racing tight between FOREVER ELATION and HAPPY TUMBLER. In the Straight, HAPPY TUMBLER (Apprentice C Y Ho) hung in and proved very difficult to ride. Apprentice Ho had difficulty pulling his whip from his left hand into his right hand approaching and passing the 200 Metres. Over the concluding stages, EASY WINNER and SHINING VICTORY raced in restricted room inside HAPPY TUMBLER which continued to hang in under pressure. Also over the concluding stages, FOREVER ELATION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHEVALIER KING and HAPPY REUNION when unable to obtain clear running between those horses. In the Straight, HAPPY REUNION hung in. For the majority of the race, EASY WINNER travelled wide and without cover. After the race, D Beadman reported that CHEVALIER KING did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of CHEVALIER KING after the race revealed that the horse was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, CHEVALIER KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of AT MOMENT IN TIME after the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards will afford Y T Cheng (AT MOMENT IN TIME) the opportunity to explain the horse’s disappointing performance prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Monday, 25 April 2011. CHEVALIER KING, GOOD WORDS and HAPPY TUMBLER were sent for sampling.