29/02/2012  Happy Valley  Race 2

MEGA CASTLE was withdrawn on 28.2.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SAMMY’S FORTUNE (T Clark). Before being allowed to race again, MEGA CASTLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOYFUL JOYFUL and GRANDWAY FLYER bumped at the start. From the outside barrier, SAMMY’S FORTUNE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, GRANDWAY FLYER was steadied to avoid the heels of EPATANT (N Callan) which shifted in when not properly clear. N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, GRANDWAY FLYER was again steadied to avoid the heels of RAY’S FAVOURITE (D Whyte) which shifted in when not properly clear. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 1300 Metres, METREVELLI, which had been ridden along after being slow to begin, was checked away from the heels of DR UNION and in doing so shifted out and bumped AMAZING FORTUNE. After racing wide and without cover in the early stages, DUKE’S VICTORY was taken back behind runners to a position closer to the rail but at the rear. After being crossed by GRANDWAY FLYER after the 800 Metres, RAY’S FAVOURITE shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse and in doing so bumped DR UNION which became unbalanced. Passing the 500 Metres, DR UNION, which was reluctant to maintain its position to the inside of RAY’S FAVOURITE (D Whyte), was checked when RAY’S FAVOURITE shifted in slightly. D Whyte was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, he must ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside. METREVELLI had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. SAMMY’S FORTUNE was not able to obtain clear running over the final 200 Metres and because of this was not properly tested. Throughout the race, JOYFUL JOYFUL travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LUCKY ARMY, Y T Cheng stated that after being slow to begin, his mount was steadied away from the heels of RAY’S FAVOURITE shortly after the start. He said as he had been instructed to obtain a midfield position if possible on LUCKY ARMY, he rode his mount along in the early stages to make up lost ground, however, due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages he was not able to shift in closer than four wide and for this reason approaching the 1000 Metres he shifted LUCKY ARMY across behind runners with cover. He said this resulted in LUCKY ARMY racing further back in the field than had been anticipated. He added after racing with cover in a three wide position, LUCKY ARMY came under pressure after the 500 Metres to maintain its position and despite being ridden along did not show any turn of foot. He said he continued to test LUCKY ARMY in the Straight, however, the horse was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. Trainer C H Yip said that, in his opinion, the disappointing performance of LUCKY ARMY could be attributed to the circumstances of tonight’s race. He said after being slow to begin and then being ridden along in the early stages, LUCKY ARMY had proved difficult to settle in the middle stages whereas at its last start the horse was able to enjoy a better run throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY ARMY after the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY ARMY, RAY’S FAVOURITE and METREVELLI were sent for sampling.