06/06/2012  Happy Valley  Race 7

MILITARY ATTACK began awkwardly. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, when being shifted in to a position behind HAPPY GUYS, MILITARY MOVE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse, resulting in MILITARY MOVE being shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY GUYS. After this, MILITARY MOVE commenced to prove difficult to settle and was unable to be shifted back in behind HAPPY GUYS and consequently raced wide and without cover. In the early part of the Straight, OSVALDO had difficulty obtaining clear running. When questioned, T Clark stated that although PACKING WHIZ had been successful when racing in a forward position two starts ago, it was felt that the horse over-raced on that occasion and because of this it was ridden more patiently at its most recent start when also successful. He said tonight he was again asked to ride PACKING WHIZ off the pace and it was hoped that he may be able to obtain a position in about midfield. He said in the early stages he would have had to have ridden PACKING WHIZ along to follow FAMILISTS across and he believed that this would have been contrary to his instructions, therefore he attempted to cross and race outside MILITARY ATTACK in the early stages. He said when MILITARY ATTACK remained racing in a one-off position, he steadied PACKING WHIZ with a view to obtaining a position behind that horse, however, NOBLE CONQUEROR was able to obtain the position before he was able to shift PACKING WHIZ across behind MILITARY MOVE. He said although this resulted in PACKING WHIZ racing three wide, the slow tempo of tonight’s race and the fact that he had cover throughout the race meant that this position was not necessarily disadvantageous. He added that PACKING WHIZ travelled well throughout the race, however, he was obliged to ride it after the 500 Metres in an attempt to prevent MILITARY ATTACK from shifting out. He said PACKING WHIZ was not able to maintain its position at this time and was taken wider by MILITARY ATTACK when that horse shifted out. He said in the Straight PACKING WHIZ responded to his riding satisfactorily until about the final 100 Metres when the horse weakened on its run. T Clark stated that he noted that PACKING WHIZ, at its only other race start at Happy Valley, had not performed well and, in his opinion, the horse may be better suited to racing at Sha Tin. A veterinary inspection of PACKING WHIZ after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE CONQUEROR after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE CONQUEROR will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MILITARY ATTACK, HAPPY GUYS and PURE CHAMPION were sent for sampling.