08/02/2017  Happy Valley  Race 6

After being placed in the barriers, the start was delayed when NUMERO UNO put its head down and then took some time to correct. Before being allowed to race again, NUMERO UNO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. WAYFOONG VINNIE was slow to begin and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners. LANG TAI SING shifted out at the start and bumped DIAMOND LEGEND. SHARP HUNTER began awkwardly and bumped the hindquarters of LUCKY DAY which became unbalanced after being bumped by TRENDY WIN on jumping. After this, TRENDY WIN was steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, NUMERO UNO was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres, FLYING FORCE got its head up when being steadied to allow I’M A WITNESS to cross. Passing the 1000 Metres, DIAMOND LEGEND lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position inside FLYING FORCE. Then making the turn into the Back Straight near the 950 Metres, DIAMOND LEGEND got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 700 Metres, FLYING FORCE again got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of MARVEL TRIBE (Apprentice K K Chiong) which steadied the tempo. Apprentice Chiong was warned against the practice of steadying the tempo in races too abruptly. After the 700 Metres, LUCKY DAY was left racing wide and without cover. I’M A WITNESS and OUR HERO brushed passing the 100 Metres. Then near the 50 Metres, I’M A WITNESS and OUR HERO raced tight due to both horses shifting slight ground. Close to the finishing line, LANG TAI SING was shifted in away from the heels of I’M A WITNESS after being awkwardly placed inside the heels of that horse. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he placed TRAVEL SUCCESSOR under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He said TRAVEL SUCCESSOR did not quicken as he thought it would and he used the whip in the left hand after the 200 Metres. He said when the horse did not appear to respond, he then changed the whip into his right hand and again used the whip in that hand after the 100 Metres, however, TRAVEL SUCCESSOR was giving its all at this time and he did not feel there was any need to use the whip any further on the horse. When questioned regarding the performance of FLYING FORCE, J Moreira stated that after being able to obtain the position behind the leader in the early stages, FLYING FORCE travelled satisfactorily until the pace of the race slackened passing the 700 Metres. He said when this happened FLYING FORCE got its head up on a number of occasions and became unbalanced. He said FLYING FORCE was then able to travel more comfortably after the 600 Metres and at the entrance to the Straight he was able to shift the horse into clear running, however, FLYING FORCE came under pressure and then, despite being ridden out, did not respond to his riding. Mr C H Yip, trainer of FLYING FORCE, stated that, in his opinion, tonight’s performance could be attributed to the manner in which the horse reacted to the tempo of the race after the 700 Metres. He said FLYING FORCE appreciates a good tempo and a trouble free run and, in his opinion, this was the principal reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of FLYING FORCE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING FORCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MARVEL TRIBE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLYING FORCE, OUR HERO and I’M A WITNESS were sent for sampling.