07/03/2012  Happy Valley  Race 7

On arrival at the barriers, G Mossé reported that GOOD STRIKE had coughed on a number of occasions when proceeding to the Start. A veterinary examination of GOOD STRIKE passed that horse to be suitable to race. An endoscopic examination of GOOD STRIKE after the race did not reveal any significant findings. FINN MACCOOL was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, GOOD STRIKE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres, GREEN ZONE became badly unbalanced of its own accord. Near the 300 Metres, LUCKY RECORD got its head on the side, shifted out and in doing so bumped GLENEALY STAR. Approaching the 200 Metres, NOBODY BUT YOU was shifted out when disappointed for running inside FINN MACCOOL. Approaching the 100 Metres, TOUCH WELL was shifted to the inside of the heels of GREEN ZONE when that horse shifted out under pressure. In the Straight, MR VIGOROUS hung out. Throughout the race, XILAI XIANZI travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K C Leung stated that TOUCH WELL, which was racing at Happy Valley for the first time tonight, got its head on the side and lay out making the first turn after the 1000 Metres. He said on entering the Back Straight MY GOAL, which was racing in a three wide position to his outside, was shifting in and he believed he would have had to make use of TOUCH WELL to prevent MY GOAL from shifting in. He further said that MY GOAL had previously hung in during a race when he rode the horse last season and for these reasons he elected to steady TOUCH WELL near the 900 Metres and allowed MY GOAL to shift in to be racing in front of TOUCH WELL. He added after being crossed by MY GOAL, TOUCH WELL commenced to race keenly and got its head up near the 800 Metres when awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. K C Leung was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have allowed TOUCH WELL to maintain its position to the inside of MY GOAL so as to be racing behind DR SUPER, the eventual winner of the race. He was further advised that his riding at this time of the race had come under notice and he must ride his mounts in such a manner to ensure that they are able to maintain more favourable positions in races. When questioned, D Whyte stated that due to the manner in which LUCKY RECORD raced at its most recent start he immediately shifted the horse across to race behind TOUCH WELL in the early stages so as to ensure he obtained cover. He said LUCKY RECORD travelled well in the early stages, but when TOUCH WELL was steadied to allow MY GOAL to cross near the 900 Metres, LUCKY RECORD commenced to prove very difficult to settle and consequently raced further back in the field than had been hoped. He added LUCKY RECORD continued to travel strongly when close to the heels of TOUCH WELL for some distance after this. A veterinary inspection of GLENEALY STAR and XILAI XIANZI after the race did not show any significant findings. DR SUPER and LUCKY RECORD were sent for sampling.