07/09/2016  Happy Valley  Race 6

REGENCY KING was slow to begin. CHATER LEGEND was crowded for room shortly after the start between HO HO FEEL and LOTUS STRIKES BACK which shifted in. Close to the finishing line, JOLLY GENE was awkwardly placed behind CHATER LEGEND which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HO HO FEEL. For the majority of the race, JOLLY GENE travelled wide and without cover. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of Y T Cheng (LUCKY HAMMER), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned, K Teetan stated that, from barrier 11, he was asked to ride GOLDEN SLEEP with cover in a position behind midfield. He said he was able to be successful on SUPER FORM in Race 4 after that horse was ridden back in the field and it was felt that horses racing up on the pace had not been able to close off in the earlier races. He said it was also felt that tonight’s race would be run at a strong tempo and therefore it would be in the best interests of GOLDEN SLEEP not to be ridden forward from a wide barrier as it may result in the horse having to race wide given there were a number of horses drawn better than GOLDEN SLEEP which had previously shown good speed. He said he was initially able to shift GOLDEN SLEEP across behind runners to follow JOLLY GENE, however, the horse commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up after the 1000 Metres when being checked away from the heels of JOLLY GENE. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KING OF MONGOLIA, J Moreira stated that, from the inside barrier, he was able to obtain a good trailing position behind the leader LUCKY HAMMER and KING OF MONGOLIA travelled well in the early and middle stages. He said he was able to shift away from the rail rounding the Home Turn and he expected KING OF MONGOLIA to finish off the race well, however, the horse came under pressure after the 300 Metres and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. He added he had ridden KING OF MONGOLIA on two occasions previously and the horse did not let down tonight as it had on those occasions. A veterinary inspection of KING OF MONGOLIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING OF MONGOLIA, HO HO FEEL and HAPPY CONTENDER were sent for sampling.