12/09/2012  Happy Valley  Race 4

On jumping, REAL DRAGON was bumped by GREAT SHOW which was taken out by ALL THE WINNERS. Near the 1500 Metres, TOY STORY was steadied away from the heels of POTENTIAL. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that he had been instructed to take up a more forward position than had previously been the case on O’REILLY MAGIC if possible as it was felt that whilst there were several established leaders, there was not a great deal of follow-up speed and it was also felt that the horse may be able to overcome barrier 9 by being ridden more positively in the early stages. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of POTENTIAL, Apprentice C Y Ho stated that his mount travelled satisfactorily in the early stages, however, prior to the 800 Metres got its head on the side and shifted out which is unusual for this horse. He said he shifted POTENTIAL back in, however, the horse came under pressure near the 700 Metres to hold its position and despite being ridden along thereafter did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. He added that the only reason he could attribute to POTENTIAL’s performance was the fact the horse may not have backed up after the Sha Tin racemeeting last Saturday. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPREME TYCOON, B Prebble stated that after settling well in the early stages, SUPREME TYCOON commenced to over-race after having to be steadied near the 1500 Metres when racing tight between EUPHEMISM and O’REILLY MAGIC which shifted in. He said SUPREME TYCOON then continued to over-race for some distance after this and would not settle as he had hoped. He said SUPREME TYCOON came under pressure prior to the 500 Metres and when under pressure in the Straight got its head on the side and lay in. He said, in his opinion, the performance of SUPREME TYCOON could be due to the fact that it failed to settle in the early and middle stages. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of REAL DRAGON, A Suborics stated that he was able to shift across from the outside barrier to race outside of the leader, ALL THE WINNERS passing the 1200 Metres without having to make too much use of the horse. He said REAL DRAGON travelled comfortably in the middle stages, however, he became concerned with the manner in which it was travelling prior to the 600 Metres. He said he placed REAL DRAGON under pressure near the 500 Metres, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and immediately came under pressure to hold its position. He said that REAL DRAGON gave ground noticeably from the 400 Metres and weakened out of the race thereafter. He added that he had ridden REAL DRAGON in a barrier trial in the lead up to tonight’s race which, in his opinion, was satisfactory and based on this trial he felt that the horse would be competitive in tonight’s race. The performance of REAL DRAGON was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, REAL DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of POTENTIAL, SUPREME TYCOON and REAL DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. TOY STORY, ALL THE WINNERS and HEI HEI POSH were sent for sampling.