19/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

When leaving the Parade Ring, AMAZING FORTUNE slipped. After arriving at the Start, AMAZING FORTUNE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. From the outside barrier, AMAZING FORTUNE was taken across behind runners after the start. NEEDLES AND THREAD began awkwardly and lost ground. KINGSTON TEMPLE was slow to begin. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, KEY WINNER was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of KING OF SHAVER. For a short distance leaving the 1200 Metres, ROCKET AND GOLD got its head on the side and shifted out. At the 450 Metres, KING OF SHAVER was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of VINTAGE GOLD. At the 250 Metres, O’REILLY MAGIC, which had had its head on the side and was hanging in, became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of KEY WINNER. Near the 100 Metres, KEY WINNER was checked when crowded for room between ROCKET AND GOLD (C W Wong) which shifted out and O’REILLY MAGIC which got its head on the side and shifted in away from AMAZING FORTUNE after initially being carried in slightly by that horse. In the circumstances, no action was taken, however, C W Wong was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. In the Straight, KING OF SHAVER hung in. When questioned, K T Yeung (DASHING CHAMPION) explained the original intention had been to have the horse ridden in a rearward position from its wide draw. He said after arriving at the Parade Ring, he suggested to Mr B K Ng, the horse’s trainer, that DASHING CHAMPION may be better suited ridden in a forward position in today’s race as in his opinion there was no established leader engaged and the race would be run at a slow tempo. He said Mr Ng agreed with this suggestion and it was therefore decided to ride DASHING CHAMPION in a prominent position. He said DASHING CHAMPION was caught wide in the early stages, however, was able to work across to race outside the leader after the 1000 Metres. SPIRIT OF LO PAN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SPIRIT OF LO PAN after the race did not show any significant findings. VINTAGE GOLD, ROCKET AND GOLD and O’REILLY MAGIC were sent for sampling.