28/09/2016  Happy Valley  Race 6

From a wide barrier, WINNIE'S HONEY was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. O Doleuze (HAPPY CONTENDER) was severely reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in and cause momentary crowding to GREEN DISPATCH and HO HO FEEL just after passing the winning post on the first occasion. It was established that just prior to receiving crowding, HO HO FEEL jumped a shadow of the winning post and was unbalanced at the time when it received brief tightening. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, JOLLY GENE was left racing wide and without cover. At the 1300 Metres, WINNIE'S HONEY was steadied away from the heels of AMAZINGLY. Soon after entering the Straight, WINNIE'S HONEY got its head on the side and was reluctant to shift out from behind GREEN DISPATCH and as a consequence was checked away from the heels of that horse. AMAZINGLY broke down in the left front leg after passing the 200 Metres. Approaching the 150 Metres, ALLCASH was hampered when obliged to shift out away from the heels of WINNIE'S HONEY (C Y Ho) which shifted out under pressure. C Y Ho was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise far more care in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the performance of HO HO FEEL, K C Leung stated that he was obliged to ride the horse along in the early stages to maintain a relatively forward position from an inside draw. He said HO HO FEEL travelled well throughout the race, however, failed to respond to his riding in the Straight and was disappointing. He said the only explanation he could offer was that the horse may not have appreciated being pushed into a forward position early and may appreciate being ridden more patiently. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on HAPPY CONTENDER, O Doleuze stated that in discussion with Trainer R Gibson, it was decided to ride the horse in a forward position despite the fact that it had raced well at its last start when ridden patiently. He said this decision was reached after assessing that apart from the anticipated leader HAPPY SPIRIT, there was no follow-up speed and therefore it was felt that HAPPY CONTENDER could assume a forward position which was in keeping with the manner in which the horse had been previously ridden to advantage. HAPPY SPIRIT and WINNIE'S HONEY were sent for sampling.