21/01/2009  Happy Valley  Race 5

BULB TREASURE, which was fractious as the start was effected, began very awkwardly, shifted in, bumped the hindquarters of MULTI MILLIONS and became badly unbalanced. As a consequence, BULB TREASURE lost ground. After this, BULB TREASURE travelled wide and without cover throughout and in the Straight gave ground. In the circumstances, the performance of BULB TREASURE, which tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, BULB TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUNNY SMILES began awkwardly and was then crowded for room inside SPIRIT OF LO PAN which shifted ground. In the early stages, ROCKET AND GOLD was taken back. In the early and middle stages, DR WELL proved difficult to settle. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, TRAVEL LEADER was crowded for room inside SPIRIT OF LO PAN which shifted in momentarily after initially shifting out to a three wide position. In this incident, SPIRIT OF LO PAN became unbalanced behind. At the 400 Metres and prior to straightening, TRAVEL LEADER was steadied when awkwardly placed between BREAKING POINT and GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY which commenced to give ground. Prior to straightening, MULTI MILLIONS was steadied away from the heels of RAIN OF THUNDER. Shortly after straightening, TRAVEL LEADER was again steadied and shifted to the outside of GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to obtain clear running, then in the Straight hung in. After the 200 Metres, FORTUNE WARRIOR was shifted wider to obtain clear running. When questioned, C K Tong (GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY) explained he looked to his inside on several occasions after the 1200 Metres to ascertain whether there was sufficient room for him to shift to the fence behind the leader and race with cover. He said when he did this he noticed he was not clear of SPEEDY WARRIOR and therefore continued to race outside the lead in the one off position. He said approaching the turn at the 600 Metres the rider of BULB TREASURE which was racing to his outside in a three wide position without cover was looking to his right in an attempt to shift in to the two wide line. He said because of this he again looked to his inside on several occasions to see if there was sufficient room for him to be able to shift to the fence behind the leader. He said he again noticed SPEEDY WARRIOR racing to his inside and he then called to W M Lai, the rider of BULB TREASURE, to ensure that he did not shift ground as if he did it would result in interference. C K Tong was told to avoid looking around unnecessarily during races. When questioned regarding the poor performance of SPIRIT OF LO PAN, C Soumillon said the tempo of the race in the early stages was strong and his mount obtained a position behind the leaders. He said SPIRIT OF LO PAN travelled only fairly throughout the run, then became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters making the turn at the 600 Metres. He said after this SPIRIT OF LO PAN did not travel well and lost ground when following BULB TREASURE which commenced to give ground. He said prior to straightening he placed SPIRIT OF LO PAN under pressure, however, his mount did not respond to his riding. SPIRIT OF LO PAN and BULB TREASURE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SPIRIT OF LO PAN and BULB TREASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. SPEEDY WARRIOR and SUNNY SMILES were sent for sampling.