04/05/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

CHARITY SPIRIT was tardy to begin and shortly after the start was bumped by GREY WHIZZ which was taken out by GOLDEN BAUHINIA. Throughout the race, HAWTHORNE travelled wide and without cover and after the 500 Metres got its head on the side and hung out. This resulted in ETERNAL BEAUTY being taken wider. Near the 100 Metres, HAWTHORNE, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when crowded for room between SURFER BOY and ETERNAL BEAUTY which got is head on the side and shifted in under pressure. Over the final 100 Metres, JUN DAO raced in restricted room between RIDE ON THE FIRE and KING OF THE DAY which shifted in slightly. When questioned, G Cheyne stated that he had to make considerable use of KING OF THE DAY in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said, in his opinion, the pace of the race in the early and middle stages was quite fast. He said after the 700 Metres he considered continuing to ride KING OF THE DAY forward to cross RIDE ON THE FIRE which was positioned to his inside, however, he felt to properly clear that horse he would have had to make more use of KING OF THE DAY as RIDE ON THE FIRE appeared to him to be travelling well to his inside. He said having in mind that he had made use of KING OF THE DAY in the early stages, he was reluctant to continue to ride the horse forward, rather he elected after the 600 Metres to steady the horse and give it a chance to relax so that it would be able to finish off the race. When questioned regarding his riding of THE WAND, D Whyte stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse quietly. He said it was explained to him that at THE WAND’s most recent barrier trial at Sha Tin on 12 April 2011, the horse, which was not ridden by him, had got its head up and travelled keenly in the early stages and for this reason it was decided to run the horse over 1000 Metres so that it would be able to settle behind a good tempo. He said as instructed he came out quietly on THE WAND and shifted the horse across behind runners. He added after the 800 Metres he rode THE WAND along to improve its position inside SURFER BOY and to follow CHARITY SPIRIT which he believed to be a good chance in tonight’s race. He said he had to ride THE WAND along after the 500 Metres to maintain its position behind CHARITY SPIRIT and at the entrance to the Straight he intended to follow that horse into the race. He added however that SURFER BOY maintained its position to his outside and THE WAND did not sprint as well as CHARITY SPIRIT in the early part of the Straight. He said because of the positioning of SURFER BOY, he was not able to shift THE WAND out wider. He added when ridden along in the early part of the Straight, THE WAND responded well to his riding, however, he was not able to obtain clear running on the horse over the final 100 Metres and because of this it was not ridden out to the end of the race. Mr J Size, the trainer of THE WAND, stated that he had asked D Whyte to ride THE WAND off the speed tonight and he had hoped that the horse would be able to obtain a position in midfield or slightly worse. He confirmed that at its most recent trial THE WAND had proved difficult to settle in the early stages and he felt that if THE WAND were to be ridden in a forward position tonight, the horse may race in a similar manner which would not be in its best interests. He added due to the circumstances of the race, THE WAND got further back in the early stages than had been hoped. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that KING OF THE DAY had sustained a cut to the outside of its left front cannon. A veterinary inspection of HAWTHORNE after the race did not show any significant findings. RIDE ON THE FIRE, GOLDEN BAUHINIA and CHARITY SPIRIT were sent for sampling.