11/06/2008  Happy Valley  Race 3

At declaration time, Apprentice K L Chui was declared as the rider of both ROMANTIC GREEN and SURE HERO. It was established that Apprentice Chui had a firm commitment to ride ROMANTIC GREEN. As such, the Stewards permitted W M Lai to be substituted as the rider of SURE HERO. For this declaration error, Apprentice Chui was fined $2,000. TRIUMPHANT ECHO was slow to begin and was then steadied away from the heels of ROMANTIC GREEN. From a wide barrier, SURE HERO was taken back on jumping. Also from a wide barrier, VINCERE was taken back in the early stages. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, TRIUMPHANT ECHO was steadied away from the heels of SPARKLE. Shortly after straightening, KINGSTON WINNER, which was shifting out, bumped with CLOVIS which at this time was carried in slightly by ROMANTIC GREEN. At the 200 Metres, TRAVEL LEADER, which was racing ungenerously and inclined to shift in, was steadied away from the heels of SPARKLE which when closing the race off shifted out to continue going forward. About 20 Metres prior to the winning post, C K Tong (RELY ON ME) dropped his left rein. S K Sit (WONG’S FAVOURITE) explained he had been instructed to ride the horse in a similar manner to when it had previously been successful, that was to find a position with cover and endeavour to circle the field after the 800 Metres. He said in the early stages he obtained a midfield position with cover and WONG’S FAVOURITE travelled comfortably. He said near the 700 Metres he shifted out to a three wide position and endeavoured to improve his position, however, WONG’S FAVOURITE did not quicken sufficiently for him to circle the field. He said as a consequence he travelled wide and without cover making the turn at the 600 Metres, then in the early part of the Straight WONG’S FAVOURITE kept on one-paced and after the 200 Metres gave ground and was disappointing. WONG’S FAVOURITE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WONG’S FAVOURITE after the race did not show any significant findings. RELY ON ME and CLOVIS were sent for sampling. Additional Veterinary Reports (released on 12 June 2008) WONG'S FAVOURITE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. WONG'S FAVOURITE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Y S Tsui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be sore in its right front tendon. Before being allowed to race again, WONG'S FAVOURITE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.