05/09/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

PEARLY TREASURE began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between BORNTOACHIEVE and WINFULL PATROL which shifted in. Approaching the 800 Metres, COUNTRY STAR shifted out and raced very close to the heels of OCEAN ROAR, resulting in COUNTRY STAR being checked away from the heels of that horse. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, WINFULL PATROL momentarily raced tight inside MR RIGHT. After the 600 Metres, FLYING MONKEY got its head up for some distance when making the turn awkwardly. FLYING MONKEY then again made the Home Turn awkwardly. Passing the 300 Metres, RAICHU was shifted to the inside of BORNTOACHIEVE to obtain clear running. In the early part of the Straight, COUNTRY STAR was shifted to the outside in an attempt to improve outside BLITZING. Approaching the 250 Metres, COUNTRY STAR was checked when disappointed for running between BLITZING which shifted out and FLYING MONKEY which got its head on the side and shifted in away from OCEAN ROAR which shifted in. As the Stewards were satisfied that COUNTRY STAR had not established running to the outside of BLITZING, no further action was taken. COUNTRY STAR was then held up for clear running until near the 200 Metres. When questioned, H N Wong stated that he was instructed to lead on OCEAN ROAR if the horse began well. He said if it was required to make too much use of OCEAN ROAR to cross runners to its inside, he was asked to take a trailing position behind the leaders if possible. He said it was anticipated that the race would be run at a strong tempo with a number of on-speed runners engaged and therefore it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position rather than make too much use of OCEAN ROAR and then have the horse not being able to finish off the race. He added OCEAN ROAR began well and he rode it along for some distance in the early stages, however, FLYING MONKEY, which was positioned to his inside and WINFULL PATROL were showing good early speed and therefore rather than continue to ride OCEAN ROAR forward, he elected to take a trailing position behind FLYING MONKEY as that horse was being ridden forward in the initial stages and he felt that FLYING MONKEY would be a good horse to follow. He said after making a decision to obtain a trailing position, FLYING MONKEY did not continue forward and he was not able to shift OCEAN ROAR behind that horse which resulted in OCEAN ROAR being left racing wide and without cover after the 700 Metres and further back in the field than had been intended. When questioned regarding the performance of PEARLY TREASURE, D Whyte stated that he was asked to ride the horse in advance of midfield if possible as it was felt that there was good speed in the race and PEARLY TREASURE’s best opportunity to finish off the race would be to be ridden behind the speed. He said after being crowded for room at the start, he then had to ride his mount along, however, approaching the 800 Metres he was able to obtain a good trailing position just worse than midfield. He said PEARLY TREASURE lay in for the majority of the race and whilst proving somewhat difficult to ride because of this, nonetheless was very disappointing in that a number of horses, which finished in the placings, came from behind PEARLY TREASURE in the run. He added the only explanation he could offer for the horse’s disappointing performance was the fact that it wanted to lay in and did not travel comfortably throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of PEARLY TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PEARLY TREASURE, a favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PEARLY TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PEARLY TREASURE, MOST BEAUTIFUL and MR RIGHT were sent for sampling.