07/01/2009  Happy Valley  Race 6

LASER TIGER and MAGIC SWEEP were slow to begin. On jumping, NORTH HILL stumbled, then from the outside barrier was taken back. In the early stages, CONFUCIUS CLASSIC and TREASURE RAIDERS were taken back. At the 800 Metres, TREASURE RAIDERS was checked to avoid the heels of SUPER GENERAL which was steadied when awkwardly placed between LONGWAH RISING and LASER TIGER which got its head on the side and shifted out momentarily. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, CLASSIC NAVIGATOR was steadied away from the heels of OCEAN WIDE and THE WORLD OF LOVE was crowded for room inside OCEAN WIDE which got its head on the side and shifted in. For the majority of the Home Straight, SUPER GENERAL had difficulty obtaining clear running, near the 200 Metres was hampered by MAGIC SWEEP which when experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running was shifted out away from the heels of OCEAN WIDE which was giving ground, then after the 100 Metres was steadied away from the heels of LASER TIGER. Approaching the 50 Metres, THE WORLD OF LOVE was bumped by MAGIC SWEEP which when improving into a run towards the inside of LASER TIGER was carried in slightly by that horse. After this, MAGIC SWEEP and THE WORLD OF LOVE bumped on several occasions as MAGIC SWEEP got its head on the side and shifted in away from LASER TIGER which continued to shift in slightly. Approaching the winning post, MAGIC SWEEP when being straightened shifted out and bumped with LASER TIGER which shifted in slightly further. Just prior to the winning post, MI REILLY and THE WORLD OF LOVE bumped. Because of this, MI REILLY was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung (OCEAN WIDE) said he made use of his mount in the early stages to go forward as instructed, however, he was not able to clear MY TIME and race outside that horse in the lead. He said after entering the Back Straight OCEAN WIDE travelled keenly. He said near the 700 Metres he noticed a runner improving towards his outside, he looked to his left and identified that runner as MI REILLY. He said shortly afterwards it became apparent to him that the rider of MI REILLY was intent on going forward and shifting in to avoid being caught wide, he therefore elected to steady OCEAN WIDE to prevent making use of his mount at this stage of the race. He said when MI REILLY commenced to shift in near the 600 Metres, OCEAN WIDE got its head on the side, shifted in and then lost ground when awkwardly placed outside the heels of MY TIME. He said after this he rode OCEAN WIDE along to get the horse back on the bit. He said rounding the Home Turn he rode OCEAN WIDE along in an endeavour to prevent THE WORLD OF LOVE shifting out from his inside. He conceded as he rode OCEAN WIDE along at this stage of the race, his right elbow came away from his body as he endeavoured to hold his line on his mount. He said when this occurred, his elbow accidentally came into contact with the body of O Doleuze, the rider of THE WORLD OF LOVE. He said after this OCEAN WIDE kept on only fairly, then over the final 200 Metres gave ground noticeably. He said at the 100 Metres when OCEAN WIDE was giving ground, it got its head on the side and shifted in away from MAGIC SWEEP and was then checked away from the heels of THE WORLD OF LOVE. Mr C Fownes, trainer of OCEAN WIDE, was not able to offer any explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said after OCEAN WIDE was successful at its most recent start, he elected to give the horse a freshen up. He said since resuming work, OCEAN WIDE had performed well in its track work and in a barrier trial and was well fancied in tonight's race. He said OCEAN WIDE had shown itself to still be immature at this stage of its career and he believes the horse is best suited if able to find the rail in its races. He said tonight when OCEAN WIDE was not able to find the rail, the horse raced greenly when around other horses. Mr Fownes said because of the greenness of OCEAN WIDE at different stages of tonight's race, he believed the horse was not able to close the race off. The Stewards told Apprentice Leung regarding his riding approaching the 600 Metres that he must at all times ensure he maintains a favourable position where circumstances permit. He was further told he must where possible prevent his elbow being extended away from his body, resulting in contact being made with other riders. OCEAN WIDE was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN WIDE after the race did not show any significant findings. Mr Fownes was told the performance of OCEAN WIDE was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, OCEAN WIDE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Mr C C Chan, assistant trainer to Mr A Lee, the trainer of the winner, NORTH HILL, explained G Mossé had been instructed to ride the horse which had drawn the outside barrier from the rear. He said at its most recent start NORTH HILL had failed to finish the race off after being ridden in the lead. He said it was therefore decided to allow NORTH HILL a chance to settle in the hope the horse would finish the race off. B Prebble, the rider of NORTH HILL at its most recent start, explained he requested from Mr Lee that he be permitted to ride NORTH HILL in a forward position. He said he felt the race would be run at only a moderate tempo and therefore NORTH HILL might be suited going forward in an endeavour to find the rail. He said while he did have to make some use of NORTH HILL in the run to the 1000 Metre turn to obtain the lead, after reaching the lead, NORTH HILL travelled strongly in the run. He said NORTH HILL became a little unbalanced making the turn after the 600 Metres, but maintained its position until straightening. He said NORTH HILL kept on only one-paced in the Straight. NORTH HILL and LONGWAH RISING were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported NORTH HILL had lost its left front plate.