06/03/2013  Happy Valley  Race 6

SECRETARY OF STATE began awkwardly and shifted in abruptly, resulting in VICTORY MASCOT becoming badly unbalanced, shifting in and making heavy contact with BREEZE OF LUCK which was also hampered. BEAUTY KING shifted out at the start and inconvenienced DILIGENT III. From a wide barrier, LUCKY OMENS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early stages, GOOD THINKER was left racing wide and without cover and passing the 1200 Metres was allowed to stride forward to obtain a position outside the lead. Also passing the 1200 Metres, HO HO LIFE was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance approaching the 800 Metres, DILIGENT III got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FOLLOW THE MONEY. For some distance between the 500 Metres and the 400 Metres, DILIGENT III raced in restricted room between LUCKY OMENS and FOLLOW THE MONEY which was being ridden along to maintain its position. Passing the 100 Metres, GOOD THINKER was inconvenienced when awkwardly placed outside the heels of BEAUTY KING which shifted out under pressure. When questioned, H W Lai (WEALTH PARK) stated that approaching the 700 Metres HO HO LIFE commenced to improve to his outside and he elected to shift out at this time rather than allowing that horse to pocket WEALTH PARK in behind GOOD THINKER. He said as it had been explained to him that WEALTH PARK is somewhat one-paced, with its light weight, he elected to commence riding his mount from the 500 Metres as he felt that this would be in the horse’s best interests given his instructions. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BREEZE OF LUCK, W C Marwing stated that although the horse was hampered at the start when bumped by VICTORY MASCOT, BREEZE OF LUCK was able to obtain a forward position without having to be overly used to be behind GOOD FELLOW. He said BREEZE OF LUCK changed stride on a number of occasions throughout the race and in the Straight finished off the race only one-paced and, in his opinion, was disappointing. He added that after the race he recommended to connections that they consider dropping BREEZE OF LUCK back in distance and return to racing at Sha Tin where the horse had previously experienced success. He said he had ridden BREEZE OF LUCK in some of its track work in the lead up to tonight’s race and based on that work he expected the horse to race well tonight. A veterinary inspection of BREEZE OF LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HO HO LIFE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GOOD FELLOW immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in the left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, GOOD FELLOW will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY OMENS and COOL BEAN were sent for sampling.