13/11/2013  Happy Valley  Race 1

POSITIVE ENERGY was withdrawn on 12.11.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter JUST GOOD (Apprentice K C Ng). Before being allowed to race again, POSITIVE ENERGY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JUST GOOD and FLYING KEEPER began awkwardly. SUPER BROTHER jumped in at the start and inconvenienced MARVEL PLUS. Soon after the start, GRACYTOM was checked when crowded for room between ENJOY THE FUN and CHINA GOOD (K C Leung) which shifted in. K C Leung was severely reprimanded and advised that although the Stewards acknowledged that he had attempted to relieve the tightening to GRACYTOM, nonetheless in similar circumstances he must straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. Passing the 700 Metres, MARVEL PLUS got its head on the side, shifted in and made contact with ENJOY THE FUN. After being straightened by its rider, MARVEL PLUS again shifted in slightly approaching the 600 Metres and made contact with ENJOY THE FUN which became unbalanced and then was checked away from the heels of TAI PO FORTUNE which in turn was being steadied away from the heels of LUCKY RED. As a consequence, both GRACYTOM and FLYING KEEPER, which were racing to the inside of ENJOY THE FUN, were checked when crowded for room. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. JUST GOOD and CHINA GOOD, which were trailing FLYING KEEPER and GRACYTOM, were hampered in consequence. Rounding the Home Turn, MARVEL PLUS raced tight between RAY OF GOLD and GRACYTOM which shifted out. RAY OF GOLD travelled wide and without cover throughout the event. When questioned regarding the performance of CHINA GOOD, K C Leung stated that whilst CHINA GOOD jumped well tonight, he adhered to his instructions to allow the horse to be settled and travelling comfortably in the second half of the field. He said after passing the 800 Metres he was obliged to steady CHINA GOOD in order to shift in behind GRACYTOM to be racing close to the rail. He further stated that CHINA GOOD then failed to close off the race as he would have expected and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of CHINA GOOD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER BROTHER and DAILY DOUBLE were sent for sampling.