22/10/2014  Happy Valley  Race 5

SUGAR CITY was crowded for room on jumping between EXCITABLE BOY and BALTIC WARRIOR, both of which shifted ground. MIGHTY EQUUS began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, GLORY OF LONGWAH was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 900 Metres, EXCITABLE BOY was momentarily crowded for room inside REAL FIT which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to EXCITABLE BOY. ALL GREAT FRIENDS and SKY FAR raced tight near the 500 Metres with both horses becoming unbalanced after bumping. Passing the 300 Metres, SUGAR CITY was steadied and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of SKY FAR which was giving ground. Then near the 200 Metres, SUGAR CITY raced tight between SKY FAR and SEA WARRIOR. Near the 100 Metres, BALTIC WARRIOR was steadied and shifted to the outside of REAL FIT which was giving ground. Throughout the race, SKY FAR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of NOVEL START, C Y Ho stated that he had been instructed, from barrier 11, to allow his mount to go forward if possible in the early stages, but not to make too much use of the horse as the connections did not want NOVEL START being caught wide and without cover in a position towards the lead. He said after NOVEL START began well, he immediately noticed that SKY FAR, REAL FIT and a number of other runners drawn more favourably being aggressively ridden to obtain forward positions and he believed he would have had to make too much use of NOVEL START in an endeavour to cross those runners to its inside. He said therefore he took hold of NOVEL START shortly after the start and attempted to shift that horse in behind runners to obtain cover in about a midfield position. He said however that NOVEL START proved difficult to settle making the turn after the 900 Metres and he was not able to shift the horse in and this resulted in NOVEL START racing very wide and without cover. Mr T K Ng, the trainer of NOVEL START, confirmed the instructions given to C Y Ho and stated that NOVEL START had previously weakened in its races when obliged to race wide and without cover. He said he felt that if the horse was not able to obtain the lead without having to be aggressively ridden, it was in NOVEL START’s best interests to attempt to obtain cover in the hope that it could close off the race. A veterinary inspection of SKY FAR immediately following the race found the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SKY FAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of REAL FIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALL GREAT FRIENDS and JADE PIPPO were sent for sampling. <23/10/2014 Additional Veterinary Reports>REAL FIT, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. REAL FIT was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A S Cruz this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, REAL FIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.