22/06/2011  Happy Valley  Race 7

MASTER RIO and SUPREME FAY FAY bumped at the start. EASY WINNER and MAKE IT were slow to begin. AL PRINCE began very awkwardly and lost a considerable amount of ground. Approaching the 900 Metres, AL PRINCE shifted in of its own accord and made heavy contact with the running rail, resulting in AL PRINCE becoming badly unbalanced and again losing a considerable amount of ground. A veterinary inspection of AL PRINCE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of AL PRINCE, which also finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AL PRINCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in two consecutive official barrier trials inside runners and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 1000 Metres, MAKE IT was checked when crowded for room between EASY WINNER which at this time shifted out slightly and TEAM WORK (W M Lai) which shifted in. W M Lai was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that there was a contribution to this incident from EASY WINNER, nonetheless he was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Apprentice T H So (EASY WINNER) dropped his whip at the 200 Metres. Over the concluding stages, EASY WINNER raced tight inside WINDICATOR POWER which shifted in. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been instructed to obtain cover on HIGH RETURN and it was hoped that he would be able to obtain a position in midfield. He said after beginning well, he steadied HIGH RETURN to obtain cover behind GREY WHIZZ, however, when that horse was able to cross in front of runners, he was left racing to the outside of TRES MAGNIFIQUE. He said he then attempted to shift HIGH RETURN into a position with cover behind that horse, however, HIGH RETURN was travelling too strongly at this time. He said for this reason he allowed HIGH RETURN to improve around TRES MAGNIFIQUE in the hope that HIGH RETURN would be able to obtain cover behind SHOWTIME. He said however that he was not able to obtain cover behind SHOWTIME until after the 600 Metres. He added at the entrance to the Straight he attempted to shift to the outside of SUPREME FAY FAY, however, as he was doing this, a run momentarily became available in front of HIGH RETURN between GREY WHIZZ and SUPREME FAY FAY and for this reason he elected to improve between those horses rather than continue to shift out. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SHOWTIME had lost its left front plate. SHOWTIME, LOADS OF JOY and WINDICATOR POWER were sent for sampling.