11/02/2009  Happy Valley  Race 8

After arriving at the Start, JAMESINA had its tongue tie refitted. HOLD HANDS began awkwardly, bounded in the air and lost ground and was then checked to avoid the heels of REALLY HAPPY which was carried out by FAT DRAGON. BOUNCER began awkwardly and lost ground. CONGRATS was slow to begin. REWARDING STAR was slow into stride, then when racing wide on the track after the 1600 Metres was taken back to a position with cover. Near the 1300 Metres, FAT DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of SILVER SUN (P H Lo) which shifted in when not quite clear. P H Lo was told to exercise greater care. At the 1300 Metres, BOUNCER was steadied away from the heels of JAMESINA. In the middle stages, REWARDING STAR proved very difficult to settle. Shortly after straightening, REALLY HAPPY was steadied when disappointed for running between LU YUE and FAT DRAGON. After the 200 Metres, REALLY HAPPY, which for some distance had been experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied and shifted out when disappointed for running between FAT DRAGON and HOLD HANDS which itself had been held up for some distance and at this time was shifted out away from the heels of SILVER SUN. For the major part of the race, HAIL THE STORM travelled wide and without cover. PLASTIC POLYMER was very fractious during the pre-race parade and difficult to manage behind the barriers. PLASTIC POLYMER was slow to begin, then despite being ridden along failed to stretch out and shortly after the start became detached. PLASTIC POLYMER was eased out of the race making the first turn. PLASTIC POLYMER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of PLASTIC POLYMER after the race did not show any significant findings. Mr D Cruz, the trainer of PLASTIC POLYMER, which tonight was having its first race start at Happy Valley, was told the horse will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being permitted to race again. Mr Cruz was further told should he intend to bring PLASTIC POLYMER back to Happy Valley to race again, the horse must first trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial at Happy Valley. When questioned regarding the poor performance of LU YUE, B Prebble was not able to offer an explanation. He said LU YUE trialed impressively leading into tonight’s race. He said he was required to make some use of LU YUE to obtain a forward position as instructed and near the 1300 Metres crossed to race outside the lead. He said LU YUE travelled satisfactorily in this position until near the 700 Metres when GREAT LAND’S STAR improved to race on his outside. He said LU YUE immediately came under pressure and did not respond to his riding. He said in the Straight LU YUE disappointed in the manner in which it closed the race off. He did say despite LU YUE having previously placed at Happy Valley, the horse in tonight’s race indicated to him it was better suited racing at Sha Tin. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of LU YUE, was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse. Hr said LU YUE had pleased his stable in its work leading into tonight’s race and because of this it was strongly fancied. He said it was somewhat unusual for him to barrier trial LU YUE between races, however, this was because the horse had not had a race start since 1 January 2009. He said whilst LU YUE was down in body weight tonight from its most recent race starts, the horse’s weight for this race was similar to that when it was last successful. LU YUE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LU YUE after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LU YUE was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, LU YUE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JAMESINA and REALLY HAPPY were sent for sampling.