23/10/2013  Happy Valley  Race 2

GOLDMEN Y Y was crowded for room at the start between BULLISH POWER and CRUISE CONTROL which shifted out. SECRETARY OF STATE began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, RAIN OF THUNDER shifted in and bumped HUMONGUS, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 1500 Metres, HUMONGUS was steadied away from the heels of HOLLYWOOD KISS (Z Purton) which shifted in when not properly clear. Z Purton was advised to exercise care. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, RAIN OF THUNDER got its head on the side and shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of CRUISE CONTROL, resulting in SECRETARY OF STATE being momentarily crowded for room. After this, RAIN OF THUNDER continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of CRUISE CONTROL which got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of BULLISH POWER. RAIN OF THUNDER, which was proving difficult to settle, momentarily improved its position to be racing tight inside the heels of CRUISE CONTROL near the 1400 Metres, resulting in SECRETARY OF STATE being crowded for room for some distance and becoming unbalanced. As the Stewards were satisfied that this incident was not due to any rider error, no further action was taken. After this, CRUISE CONTROL continued to race keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BULLISH POWER for a considerable distance. After the 1300 Metres, KENSWORTH KID was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently allowed to stride forward to a position closer to the rail. Near the 900 Metres, GOLDMEN Y Y was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. In the early part of the Straight, CHANTILLY got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. Over the concluding stages, BULLISH POWER raced in restricted room between RAIN OF THUNDER and YOUNG HERO which shifted out. When questioned regarding his riding of HUMONGUS rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, K C Leung stated that he had been following HOLLYWOOD KISS, a favoured runner and a horse he felt would be a strong chance in tonight’s race, throughout the race. He said rounding the Home Turn he was positioned to the inside of YOUNG HERO. He said passing the 400 Metres whilst continuing to follow HOLLYWOOD KISS, he observed that SUPREME TYCOON, which was racing to the outside of HOLLYWOOD KISS and in advance of that horse, to be under pressure to maintain its position. He said at the same time he observed that HOLLYWOOD KISS appeared to be travelling quite strongly and although it was available to him to shift out from behind HOLLYWOOD KISS to follow SUPREME TYCOON, he made the decision to continue to follow HOLLYWOOD KISS because it seemed to him that HOLLYWOOD KISS was travelling the stronger of the two horses. He added HOLLYWOOD KISS improved its position rounding the Home Turn to be racing on terms with SUPREME TYCOON and he was satisfied at this time that he made the right decision in continuing to follow HOLLYWOOD KISS, however, that horse then did not show the turn of foot that he expected after having travelled so strongly to that point of the race and immediately came under pressure. He said a run developed between HOLLYWOOD KISS and SUPREME TYCOON passing the 300 Metres, however, at this time HUMONGUS got its head on the side and lay in behind HOLLYWOOD KISS and was reluctant to shift to the outside of that horse. He added he rode HUMONGUS along to take advantage of the run, however, the gap between SUPREME TYCOON and HOLLYWOOD KISS closed near the 200 Metres and he then shifted to the outside of HOLLYWOOD KISS to obtain clear running. He said over the concluding stages HUMONGUS finished off the race only one-paced. K C Leung was advised that the Stewards accepted his reasons for electing to follow HOLLYWOOD KISS approaching and rounding the Home Turn given the manner in which that horse was travelling in contrast to SUPREME TYCOON. However, he was advised that he should have shown more endeavour than he did on this occasion to avail himself of the run between SUPREME TYCOON and HOLLYWOOD KISS which became available shortly after entering the Straight. K C Leung was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in a manner not open to query. A veterinary inspection of BULLISH POWER and GOLDMEN Y Y immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SECRETARY OF STATE, SUPREME TYCOON and KENSWORTH KID were sent for sampling.