07/03/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

Shortly after the start, SMART KIDS was checked when crowded for room between MERRY ANNIVERSARY and LUCKY TURBO (H W Lai) which, when being ridden along, shifted in after being brushed by JACKTHELAD. H W Lai was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Near the 750 Metres, LUCKY TURBO momentarily raced tight between HAWTHORNE and JACKTHELAD which shifted in slightly after being bumped on the hindquarters by LUCKY TURBO. Throughout the race, JACKTHELAD travelled wide and without cover and then making the turn after the 600 Metres got its head on the side and shifted out. C K Tong (VINTAGE HUSSLER) stated that he had been instructed to go forward in tonight’s race and hopefully obtain a position outside HAWTHORNE, the anticipated leader of the race. He said in the early stages he rode VINTAGE HUSSLER along to obtain a forward position, however, a considerable number of horses were also ridden forward to his inside. He said because of the speed of the race and the manner in which horses were being ridden to his inside, he believed it was not available to him to continue forward off those horses. He added passing the 800 Metres he commenced to steady his mount with a view to obtaining a position with cover closer to the rail. He said near the 650 Metres as he was steadying his mount, it was bumped by PO CHING KING which shifted out. He said as he was shifting VINTAGE HUSSLER behind PO CHING KING, that horse was also steadied to obtain cover. He said this resulted in VINTAGE HUSSLER racing much further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that after blundering badly at the start, he rode MERRY ANNIVERSARY along in the early stages to make up lost ground. He said MERRY ANNIVERSARY then travelled only fairly and became badly unbalanced when heavily bumped by JUN DAO making the first turn after the 600 Metres. He said after this MERRY ANNIVERSARY came off the bridle and did not travel comfortably over the remainder of the race. He added after the race MERRY ANNIVERSARY made an audible respiratory noise which he said the horse often does in its track work. A veterinary inspection of MERRY ANNIVERSARY after the race did not show any significant findings. MERRY ANNIVERSARY, ELUSIVE PRINCE and SMART KIDS were sent for sampling.