08/01/2014  Happy Valley  Race 6

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that FLYING UNICORN had lost its right front plate. This plate was refitted. FLYING UNICORN was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. NOBLE BOY, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was bumped by RIYADH which in turn was bumped by MAC ROW which shifted out. FLYING UNICORN began only fairly and consequently had to be ridden along for some distance to obtain a forward position. From wide barriers, ONGOING VOLATILITY and WHY NOT were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After travelling a short distance, HOLMES LEGEND was momentarily steadied away from the heels of CHANCELLOR which shifted out abruptly when being ridden along. A short distance after this, FLYING UNICORN and ONGOING VOLATILITY bumped when FLYING UNICORN shifted away from CHANCELLOR. Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, WHY NOT got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of RIYADH, resulting in ONGOING VOLATILITY being crowded for room inside HOLMES LEGEND. After this, WHY NOT continued to race with its head on the side for some distance. After the 500 Metres, WHY NOT and RIYADH raced tight as WHY NOT improved into tight running between that horse and NOBLE BOY. As WHY NOT was improving inside RIYADH, NOBLE BOY then shifted to the outside of NOBLE DE BEST which shifted out at this time away from the heels of STRATHTAY. This resulted in WHY NOT and RIYADH being hampered when crowded for room inside MAC ROW which became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by RIYADH. ONGOING VOLATILITY, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of WHY NOT in consequence. Near the 100 Metres, ONGOING VOLATILITY and FLYING UNICORN raced tight. After this, ONGOING VOLATILITY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CHANCELLOR which got its head on the side and shifted out. For the major part of the race, MAC ROW travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C K Tong stated that he had been asked to obtain the lead on CHANCELLOR if possible and after obtaining the lead not to overly restrain his mount. He said after having to vigorously ride CHANCELLOR along in the early stages to take up the lead, he then elected to steady the tempo after the 1200 Metres without having to restrain his mount too strongly. ROYAL PARTNER and NOBLE BOY were sent for sampling.