01/02/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

RUN THE DISTANCE was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, UPGRADING was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Rounding the Home Turn, FLUKE was checked away from the heels of MY MATE ADRIC which was giving ground. When questioned, C K Tong stated that he had been instructed to attempt to obtain a forward position on PRIVATE ROAD with cover if possible. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages and approaching the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to shift in behind AMBITIOUS TREASURE to obtain a position one horse off the fence with cover behind that horse. He said however that at this time NORDIC STAR was ridden along to maintain its position to his inside and for this reason PRIVATE ROAD was left racing three wide and without cover. He added that although the tempo of the race, in his opinion, was only fair during the race, he felt that he would have had to make more use of PRIVATE ROAD to go forward and cross to a position closer to the fence. He said however that, in hindsight, he should have made an effort to improve his position on PRIVATE ROAD rather than remain racing three wide. Trainer C Fownes confirmed that he had asked for PRIVATE ROAD to be ridden in a forward position and he anticipated that PRIVATE ROAD would be able to obtain a position behind the likely leaders of the race, FLORA DANICA and MY MATE ADRIC. He said that whilst he accepted that PRIVATE ROAD was not able to obtain cover in the early stages, he advised Jockey Tong of his dissatisfaction with the manner in which he had ridden PRIVATE ROAD after passing the winning post on the first occasion as he felt that the opportunity existed for PRIVATE ROAD to be ridden in a forward position given the tempo of the race. C K Tong was advised that his riding of PRIVATE ROAD had come under notice and that his ride had bordered on placing him in breach of a significant Rule of Racing. He was also advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have endeavoured to press forward on PRIVATE ROAD and improve his position after the 1200 Metres due to the sedate tempo of the race. He was further advised that he must at all times ride his mounts competitively and avoid covering unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of MY MATE ADRIC after the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils. MY MATE ADRIC, OTTIMO and FLORA DANICA were sent for sampling. <2/2/2012 Additional Veterinary Report> MY MATE ADRIC, which performed poorly, was examined by the Executive Manager, Regulatory Veterinary & International Liaison. He said at that time the horse had bled from both nostrils. MY MATE ADRIC was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K L Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MY MATE ADRIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.