22/12/2016  Happy Valley  Race 3

CONTRIBUTION was slow to begin. RICHCITY FORTUNE began awkwardly. GENEROUS BOBO lost its right front plate approaching the 1100 Metres. After being ridden along to improve inside the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL approaching the first turn, POWERMAX had to be checked when RICHCITY FORTUNE, which was racing to its inside, improved to be racing to the outside of the heels of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT and UNIQUE JOYFUL, which after initially getting its head up when being steadied to allow WILD BOY (K C Leung) to cross, then was further steadied when taken in slightly by WILD BOY. K C Leung was advised that whilst there were a number of contributing factors to this incident, nonetheless he was warned and told to ensure that he provides adequate clearance when shifting ground. Approaching the 800 Metres, GENEROUS BOBO commenced to race keenly and had to be checked away from the heels of ELECTRONIC EMPIRE (N Callan) which was steadied after assuming the lead. After being checked, GENEROUS BOBO shifted out and was then checked away from the heels of WILD BOY. SEE ME NOW, which was following, was checked in consequence. N Callan and K C Leung were advised that whilst their riding on this occasion was not considered to be in breach the Rules, nonetheless they were warned against the practice of easing the tempo unduly after assuming the lead. Passing the 500 Metres, NEVER BETTER was steadied away from the heels of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT. NEVER BETTER was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of CONFUCIUS SPIRIT for some distance and was unable to improve its position approaching the Home Turn. Making the Home Turn, GENEROUS BOBO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ELECTRONIC EMPIRE which came under pressure and commenced to lose ground. Near the 250 Metres, SEE ME NOW raced tight inside ELECTRONIC EMPIRE which got its head on the side and lay in when continuing to weaken quickly. Over the concluding stages, GENEROUS BOBO was awkwardly placed inside the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL and as a consequence was not able to be fully tested. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that POWERMAX raced greenly under pressure in the Straight and was inclined to lay out. He said he used the whip in the left hand on a number of occasions to correct POWERMAX’s tendency to lay out before riding it out in a hands and heels fashion over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding her riding of RICHCITY FORTUNE approaching the 1000 Metres, Apprentice K K Chiong advised that she was instructed to lead on the horse if possible. She said however that RICHCITY FORTUNE began only fairly and then had to be steadied soon after the start when WILD BOY shifted out. She said after racing in an awkward position inside POWERMAX approaching the first turn, she then allowed RICHCITY FORTUNE to improve forward, however, after leaving the 1000 Metres RICHCITY FORTUNE was placed in restricted room due to UNIQUE JOYFUL shifting in slightly to its outside. She added RICHCITY FORTUNE, which was wearing blinkers for the first time, commenced to race fiercely and as WILD BOY was racing in advance of RICHCITY FORTUNE and was not shifting in towards the rail, she elected to restrain RICHCITY FORTUNE and shift out and then improve around UNIQUE JOYFUL so as to attempt to find a position nearer to the lead in accordance with her instructions. After the race, it was reported that UNIQUE JOYFUL had sustained a cut to the right hind fetlock. A veterinary inspection of ELECTRONIC EMPIRE immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. WILD BOY and NEVER BETTER were sent for sampling.