06/03/2013  Happy Valley  Race 4

AMAZING ALWAYS was withdrawn on 5.3.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter OCEAN WIDE (W M Lai). Before being allowed to race again, AMAZING ALWAYS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL TIMES LUCKY began awkwardly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between QUIET CONFIDENCE and EXPEDITE which shifted out. Shortly after the start, TOUCH WELL was steadied when crowded for room between TEAM WORK and OCEAN WIDE which got its head on the side and shifted out. From the outside barrier, TRUE COURAGE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. REGENCY CHAMPION travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres at which point the horse shifted in to race outside the leader, OCEAN WIDE. Rounding the Home Turn, ALL TIMES LUCKY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOUCH WELL. Passing the 250 Metres, TOUCH WELL was directed to the outside of OCEAN WIDE to obtain clear running when that horse shifted in. This resulted in ALL TIMES LUCKY being shifted out after being disappointed for running between TOUCH WELL and REGENCY CHAMPION which shifted in. Passing the 200 Metres, TOUCH WELL (A Suborics) was awkwardly placed close to the heels of OCEAN WIDE after having to be shifted back in when disappointed for running between OCEAN WIDE and REGENCY CHAMPION. When being directed back inwards, A Suborics momentarily dropped his right rein. Also passing the 200 Metres, TRUE COURAGE was struck across the nose by the whip of T H So (EXPEDITE). Passing the 100 Metres, ALL TIMES LUCKY was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of REGENCY CHAMPION which shifted out under pressure. In the Straight, BRILLIANT PROPOSAL hung in and proved difficult to ride and over the concluding stages was awkwardly placed outside the heels of YOUNG TALENT. W M Lai reported that passing the 1100 Metres his surcingle snapped, however, this did not place him at any disadvantage for the remainder of the race. A veterinary inspection of EXPEDITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN WIDE immediately following the race found the horse to have sustained an abrasion over the right hock. YOUNG TALENT, IMPECCABLE and GOOD HONG KONG were sent for sampling.