02/05/2012  Happy Valley  Race 5

A veterinary examination of BLESSING, which had been reported to have kicked out at a wall in the holding stalls, revealed a superficial abrasion over the right hock. The Veterinary Officer said that BLESSING was suitable to race. DREAM BUILDER began awkwardly and lost ground at the start. Approaching the 1000 Metres, BLESSING shifted out when proving difficult to settle and being awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING IN and in doing so bumped ALWAYS SOMETHING, taking that horse wider. FLUKE, which was following ALWAYS SOMETHING, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After this, ALWAYS SOMETHING was left racing wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was allowed to stride into a more forward position. After this incident, BLESSING continued to prove difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING IN. After the 700 Metres, FLUKE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 250 Metres, SUMMER DASH was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FLYING IN, then near the 150 Metres was momentarily steadied when crowded for room between SHIFACHI TRADITION and FLYING IN which shifted in marginally. At the 200 Metres, AMITYSHIP was steadied away from the heels of SHIFACHI TRADITION. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if LEGEND EXPRESS had been afforded a fair start. After viewing the videos, the Stewards ascertained that as the start was effected, LEGEND EXPRESS became fractious, reared and then remained in the barriers for a considerable period. After the field had travelled approximately 100 Metres, LEGEND EXPRESS exited the barrier stalls riderless. As the Stewards formed the view that LEGEND EXPRESS had been afforded a fair start, the horse was deemed to be a runner. Prior to being permitted to race again, LEGEND EXPRESS will be required to satisfactorily undertake a series of consecutive official barrier trials. When questioned, W C Marwing (HORSE APLENTY) stated that he had been instructed to obtain cover on the horse behind the leaders if possible, however, it was acceptable for him to lead on the horse on condition that it was able to obtain an uncontested lead. He said in the early stages ZACHARY, from a wide barrier, was ridden along to obtain the lead and therefore passing the winning post on the first occasion he steadied HORSE APLENTY to allow that horse to cross. He said after the 1200 Metres ZACHARY shifted across to race on the rail in front of HORSE APLENTY and at this time HORSE APLENTY commenced to prove difficult to settle and had to be steadied away from the heels of ZACHARY for some distance. Trainer Y S Tsui confirmed the instructions given to W C Marwing in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of FLUKE after the race did not show any significant findings. HORSE APLENTY, BLESSING and ZACHARY were sent for sampling.