06/11/2007  Happy Valley  Race 7

Prior to leaving the holding stables, it was noted HARB had lost its right front plate. This plate was refitted. The horse was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On jumping, Apprentice C W Wong was struck in the face by the head of MAVERICK STAR which began awkwardly and got its head up. As a consequence, MAVERICK STAR lost ground. SANZIRO was slow to begin and then became unbalanced when bumped by HARB. From an outside barrier in the early and middle stages, ADAIKALI travelled wide and without cover. Making the Home Turn, ELEGANT WIN was crowded for room inside KING ENCOSTA which got its head on the side and hung in. Shortly after straightening, BEAR MACHO (E Saint-Martin) was bumped by KING ENCOSTA (Apprentice K L Chui) which shifted out. Apprentice Chui explained his mount had been hanging in and in an endeavour to prevent it from shifting ground, he turned his mount’s head outwards by pulling on the left rein. He said this resulted in him raising his left elbow. Apprentice Chui was severely reprimanded for having his left elbow extended away from his body, resulting in it coming into contact with the body of E Saint-Martin. After the 200 Metres, ELEGANT WIN got its head on the side and hung in away from HIGH POINT which improved on its outside. Apprentice K T Yeung (ISLAND SPEED) explained after reaching the lead the horse over-raced, would not relax for him and as a consequence ran the race at a faster tempo than he had wished. D Whyte (HIGH POINT) explained rounding the Home Turn he followed BEAR MACHO. He said when that horse shifted out on straightening, he elected to steady inside KING ENCOSTA and improve between that horse and ELEGANT WIN. He said near the 250 Metres HIGH POINT got its head on the side and was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of ELEGANT WIN, because of this he was not able to commence riding his mount out for a short distance. KING ENCOSTA and ELEGANT WIN were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of KING ENCOSTA and ELEGANT WIN after the race did not show any significant findings. TIGER PRAWN and INSPIRATION were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported HARB and MAVERICK STAR had lost their left front plates.