24/04/2013  Happy Valley  Race 7

SUNNY FAY began awkwardly. When being steadied to obtain a position with cover shortly after the start, GREEN ZONE shifted out and in doing so bumped NORDIC ONE which became unbalanced. After the 900 Metres, GREEN ZONE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SUNNY FAY. Near the 800 Metres, VICTORIUS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LONGWAH SUPREME which itself was over-racing and being restrained away from the heels of LOADS OF JOY. Near the 500 Metres, GREEN ZONE was again awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY FAY. HAPPY YEAH YEAH made the Home Turn awkwardly. Passing the 100 Metres, VICTORIUS was shifted out away from the heels of LOADS OF JOY. In the Straight, AMIGO broke down and was eased out of the race. Over the concluding stages, SUNNY FAY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER PLUS. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that, from the outside barrier, he had been asked to allow HAPPY YEAH YEAH to use its natural speed to obtain a forward position. He said however that it was felt that there would be strong pace in the early stages and if HAPPY YEAH YEAH were to be ridden along to obtain the lead, too much use would have to be made of the horse and therefore it would not be able to close off the race. He said therefore he had been asked to obtain the position behind the speed if possible with cover. He said however that due to the circumstances of the race he was not able to obtain cover until shifting in behind SUPER PLUS for a short distance after the 800 Metres. When questioned, D Whyte stated that VICTORIUS travelled on and off the bridle in the race. He said the horse proved difficult to settle near the 800 Metres as he attempted to position it behind LONGWAH SUPREME. He said VICTORIUS then came off the bridle after the 600 Metres and he had to ride the horse along vigorously to maintain its position between LONGWAH SUPREME and NORDIC ONE. He added VICTORIUS raced in restricted room between LONGWAH SUPREME and NORDIC ONE rounding the Home Turn. He said whilst VICTORIUS was disappointing tonight in that it failed to travel as strongly as it did at its most recent start, nonetheless the horse closed off the race fairly in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of VICTORIUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORIUS, BULLISH FRIEND and NEW GLORY were sent for sampling.