02/03/2016  Happy Valley  Race 1

SWEET BEAN was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left fore limb infection). Before being allowed to race again, SWEET BEAN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that ONE OF A KIND had lost its right front plate. After this plate was refitted, ONE OF A KIND was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. KING BOUNTIFUL was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between VIVA GUY and STRIKE EAGLE which shifted out. Shortly after the start, OWNERS' GLORY momentarily raced tight inside ONE OF A KIND which shifted in. From the outside barrier, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1300 Metres, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room inside OWNERS' GLORY which was taken in momentarily by ONE OF A KIND (J Moreira) which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to runners on the inside. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care. Near the 1100 Metres, SUM WIN DRAGON, which was racing keenly, shifted in and bumped FRESH AND FRESH which became unbalanced. Near the 450 Metres, KING BOUNTIFUL shifted out and brushed VIVA GUY. Rounding the Home Turn, KING BOUNTIFUL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLDEN OSMANTHUS when racing tight inside VIVA GUY. Passing the 300 Metres, ONE OF A KIND was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STRIKE EAGLE when commencing to improve into tight running between that horse and GOLDEN OSMANTHUS which was giving ground. Near the 250 Metres, BORNFREE raced tight inside SUM WIN DRAGON which got its head on the side and shifted in. Near the 150 Metres, BORNFREE and SUM WIN DRAGON bumped and became unbalanced due to both horses shifting ground. Close to the finishing line, SUM WIN DRAGON and LOYAL CRAFTSMAN bumped. SUM WIN DRAGON then shifted in and on the finishing line raced tight outside BORNFREE. For the majority of the race, GOLDEN OSMANTHUS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K C Leung (VIVA GUY) stated that he anticipated the pace of the race might slacken along the Back Straight, therefore he shifted his mount out from behind the second last horse and commenced to improve its position. He said after initially making good ground around a number of runners, the tempo of the race seemed to increase after the 800 Metres and because of this he had to ride VIVA GUY along approaching the 700 Metres to maintain its position. He said he felt that had the tempo of the race slackened in the Back Straight, VIVA GUY would be left at a disadvantage, however, the tempo of the race did not slacken as he expected that it would. When questioned, Trainer A Lee stated that he had asked Jockey M L Yeung to ride SUM WIN DRAGON positively from a wide barrier. He said he felt that apart from FRESH AND FRESH, there were no other horses engaged in the race which would normally take up front running positions and that there may be a position available either outside FRESH AND FRESH or perhaps even behind that horse if it opened up a margin over the remainder of the field. He said with tonight's race being run on the C+3 course, he felt that it would be more beneficial for SUM WIN DRAGON to obtain a forward position given the make-up of the field rather than getting back in the field and having to make ground. He added SUM WIN DRAGON raced well tonight given its beaten margin. A veterinary inspection of KING BOUNTIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ONE OF A KIND and LOYAL CRAFTSMAN were sent for sampling.