18/05/2016  Happy Valley  Race 6

GOLDEN SUN was slow to begin. KING OF MONGOLIA blundered at the start and a short distance later shifted in and bumped BEST TANGO. From wide barriers, TOM’S CHARM, SAN NICASIO and MONEY MAN were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, GOLDEN SUN and TOM’S CHARM raced tight inside KA YING KID which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening. After the 1100 Metres, MONEY MAN got its head on the side, shifted in of its own accord and became unbalanced. Near the 450 Metres, CHINA DELIGHT broke down and was retired from the event. A veterinary inspection of CHINA DELIGHT immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained an injury to the left front leg. Rounding the Home Turn, AMAZINGLY and BEST TANGO raced tight as BEST TANGO shifted out into clear running. After the 100 Metres, TOM’S CHARM shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten his mount. Over the concluding stages, GOLDEN SUN got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten his mount. Consequently GOLDEN SUN was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. After the race, Y T Cheng (LUCKY HAMMER) stated that after AMAZINGLY improved to the outside of his mount near the 1200 Metres, LUCKY HAMMER commenced to travel keenly and consequently he was not able to steady the pace, resulting in the race being run at a faster tempo than he had anticipated. When questioned, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that she had been instructed by the owner of AMAZINGLY, in the presence of Mr D E Ferraris, the trainer of the horse, to ride it in a forward position due to its outside barrier and also because horses racing up on the speed had appeared to be advantaged in earlier races. She said after having to make some use of AMAZINGLY in the early stages to cross runners to her inside, AMAZINGLY was able to shift in to race outside the leader LUCKY HAMMER near the 1100 Metres. She said after obtaining this position she immediately commenced to steady the tempo on AMAZINGLY as she was aware that the race was being run at a fast pace. She added AMAZINGLY initially took some time to steady, however, she was able to bring the horse back and have it travel more comfortably approaching the 800 Metres. Apprentice Chiong was advised to ensure that she does all in her power to rate her mounts in such a manner so that they are able to finish off their race. Mr Ferraris confirmed that the owner had requested for the horse to be ridden in a forward position tonight due to a number of factors including the use of a claiming apprentice, the horse’s outside barrier, the manner in which horses racing on the speed had performed well in earlier races and that there did not appear to be a great amount of speed engaged in tonight’s race. MAGICAL BEAUTY and KING OF MONGOLIA were sent for sampling.