17/09/2013  Happy Valley  Race 1

RAY'S FAVOURITE proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, RAY'S FAVOURITE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. EAST OCEAN was tightened for room between RAY'S FAVOURITE and GOOD TIMES ROLL which shifted in after bumping KINGSTON ELITE. After this, RAY'S FAVOURITE was vigorously ridden along, however, was slow to muster speed. A short distance after the start, KINGSTON ELITE was crowded for room between GOOD TIMES ROLL and DYNAMIC CROSS which, after being initially taken in by COLUMBUS LINE, then shifted in of its own accord. From the outside barrier, MEGA CASTLE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1500 Metres, EVER INVINCIBLE and BILLION GAINS bumped, resulting in EVER INVINCIBLE becoming unbalanced. Near the 1050 Metres, COLUMBUS LINE got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of EVER INVINCIBLE, resulting in COLUMBUS LINE becoming badly unbalanced. GOOD TIMES ROLL, which was following, was hampered in consequence. At the 500 Metres, COLUMBUS LINE, which was reluctant to maintain its position, was checked when momentarily racing tight inside EVER INVINCIBLE which shifted in marginally when commencing to give ground. GOOD TIMES ROLL, which was following COLUMBUS LINE, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence, shifted out and in doing so made contact with RAY'S FAVOURITE, resulting in that horse becoming badly unbalanced and being taken wider. After this, COLUMBUS LINE continued to get its head on the side and shift out towards the heels of EVER INVINCIBLE which approaching the 400 Metres again shifted in slightly, resulting in COLUMBUS LINE having to be momentarily checked and losing its position. Approaching the 200 Metres, H W Lai (BILLION GAINS) dropped his whip after making contact with the whip of K C Leung (DYNAMIC CROSS). Throughout the race, BILLION GAINS travelled wide and without cover. The performance of MEGA CASTLE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MEGA CASTLE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, N Pinna stated that he had been instructed to obtain a forward position if MEDIC CHAMPION began well, however, if the horse was not quick to begin, it was permissible for him to shift MEDIC CHAMPION across behind runners in the early stages and obtain as forward a position as possible. He said after being loaded MEDIC CHAMPION was restless in the stalls and then as the start was effected began only fairly. He said after MEDIC CHAMPION was crowded for room between MEGA CASTLE and BILLION GAINS which shifted out, he elected to shift his mount across behind runners and obtain a position on the rail in the early stages. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EAST OCEAN was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, EAST OCEAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KINGSTON ELITE and RAY'S FAVOURITE were sent for sampling.