03/12/2014  Happy Valley  Race 6

SERGEANT TITANIUM began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of DUAL HAPPY, resulting in SERGEANT TITANIUM losing ground. From wide barriers, CHINA DELIGHT, DRAGON PINS and SUPER STRIKE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Rounding the Home Turn, DRAGON PINS was crowded for room between DRAGON BACHELOR and SERGEANT TITANIUM after improving into tight running around DRAGON BACHELOR which was racing close to the heels of SPIRIT SOARING. At the entrance to the Straight, DRAGON PINS and SERGEANT TITANIUM raced tight. Shortly after straightening, SERGEANT TITANIUM got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. Soon after straightening, OXFORD CHARLEY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD THINKER. Passing the 350 Metres, LOVING STAR was hampered when improving into tight running between DRAGON BACHELOR and SPIRIT SOARING which was giving ground. Near the 200 Metres, SERGEANT TITANIUM raced tight between CHINA DELIGHT and DRAGON PINS which shifted out away from DRAGON BACHELOR which also shifted out. SERGEANT TITANIUM then continued to hang in over the concluding stages. When questioned, Apprentice C Y Lui (SMART UNION) stated that after he was left racing three wide and without cover passing the winning post on the first occasion, he remained racing outside SPIRIT SOARING which was positioned outside GOOD THINKER. He said after the 1100 Metres he considered allowing his mount to improve to see if he may be able to obtain a position closer to the rail, however, he felt the race was being run at a steady tempo at this time and had he ridden SMART UNION to improve its position, there was a strong likelihood that both GOOD THINKER and SPIRIT SOARING would also be ridden forward, resulting in SMART UNION having to make a sustained run. He added therefore he elected to keep SMART UNION balanced and travelling well as he believed that this provided the horse with the best opportunity to finish off its race. After the race, C Reith stated that SPIRIT SOARING gave ground noticeably in the Straight and, in his opinion, raced “flat”. A veterinary inspection of SPIRIT SOARING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GOOD THINKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. OXFORD CHARLEY, DUAL HAPPY and SMART UNION were sent for sampling.