08/06/2011  Happy Valley  Race 5

STRAWBERRY was withdrawn on 7.6.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter SUPER CAGA (Y T Cheng). HOME WITH GLORY, first Standby Declared Starter, was also withdrawn on 7.6.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, STRAWBERRY and HOME WITH GLORY will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TRAVEL GUIDE was crowded for room at the start between GILDED FLIGHT and EMPIRE CITY which shifted out and near the 1500 Metres was again steadied when crowded for room between LET’S GOAL and GRANDFIELD. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EMPIRE CITY jumped a shadow on the track. Near the 850 Metres, GREAT SHOW was checked away from the heels of EN MASSE. For some distance passing the 700 Metres, LET’S GOAL raced in restricted room between GRANDFIELD and EMPIRE CITY which was shifted to the outside of DYNAMIC CROSS. This resulted in LET’S GOAL being steadied when unable to maintain its position between those horses approaching the 600 Metres. EN MASSE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of EMPIRE CITY when disappointed for running between that horse which shifted out and SUPER CAGA. In the early part of the Straight, EMPIRE CITY (B Doyle) got its head on the side and lay in and initially was reluctant to shift to the outside of PRIVATE ROAD. This resulted in B Doyle, its rider, changing the whip from his left hand into his right hand. Close to the finishing line, EMPIRE CITY changed stride. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position on SUPER CAGA which was backing up after racing at last Sunday’s Sha Tin racemeeting. He said he was asked to lead on SUPER CAGA tonight if possible, however, if it did not show sufficient speed, he should sit behind the leader and obtain a position with cover. He said he rode his mount vigorously out of the barriers to take up a forward position, however, SUPER CAGA did not show early speed. He added passing the winning post on the first occasion he was left racing three wide without cover to the outside of PRIVATE ROAD. He said passing the 1000 Metres he became aware that DYNAMIC CROSS was being shifted in from a one off position to race behind the leader, GILDED FLIGHT on the fence. He said however that at that time he was not clear of PRIVATE ROAD and therefore was not able to shift across with DYNAMIC CROSS and obtain a position one horse off the fence. He added given the amount of use he had made of SUPER CAGA in the early stages, his mount did not have sufficient speed to cross PRIVATE ROAD which was being allowed to maintain its position to his inside by its rider. Y T Cheng was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made an effort at this time of the race to cross PRIVATE ROAD and avoid racing unnecessarily wide. A veterinary inspection of LET’S GOAL after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained lacerations to its right hind cannon. LET’S GOAL, PRIVATE ROAD and EMPIRE CITY were sent for sampling.