19/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 3

While parading behind the barriers, MY PRIDE lost its left front plate. MY PRIDE was replated and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. VIENTO bounded in the air at the start, hit the inside of its stall and as a consequence lost ground. Then after entering the Back Straight, VIENTO was taken back to obtain a position with cover. In the early and middle stages, HAPPY ELITE travelled wide and without cover and then in the Straight hung in. Entering the Back Straight, GENERAL POWER became unbalanced and lost ground. Prior to straightening, MY PRIDE was momentarily steadied away from the heels of ENGINEERING WONDER which shifted out. Throughout the race, WINNING FIRST travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding GUAN DAO being ridden in a rearward position, Trainer A Lee said in the past when GUAN DAO had been left racing wide and without cover, the horse had shown a tendency to hang out and raced disappointedly. He said from the outside barrier today in a race which was anticipated to be run at a good tempo, it was decided to take GUAN DAO back and ride the horse with cover in the hope that it would be able to close the race off. Mr Lee said following the race G Mossé who rode GUAN DAO reported to him that the horse in his opinion did not handle racing at Happy Valley at this stage of its career. He said it is now his intention to return GUAN DAO to racing at Sha Tin and where the horse will be ridden in the field will depend on its barrier and the anticipated pace of the race. RACING SPIRIT was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of RACING SPIRIT after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY GO LUCKY and BIG KAHUNA were sent for sampling.