03/12/2008  Happy Valley  Race 8

WONDERFUL BLESSING began awkwardly, got its head up, shifted out, bumped LHOJONG and then blundered. Shortly after the start, CONGRATS was steadied when crowded for room between FAT DRAGON and GOODY. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FAT DRAGON after bumping with CONGRATS took time to muster. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, HORACE'S CHOICE was steadied when held up and unable to improve. Near the 200 Metres, FAT DRAGON was steadied and shifted to the outside of WEI HAI INVINCIBLE. After the 150 Metres, LHOJONG, which was giving ground, was steadied away from the heels of MELLIFLUOUS which shifted out after initially being carried wider by FLUKE. When questioned, C K Tong (YANKEE) explained the intention had been to ride the horse either in the lead or in a forward position. He said YANKEE was fractious in its stall and was being attended to by a handler. He said when the gates opened YANKEE was slow to begin, he then rode along for a short distance, however, when YANKEE did not muster sufficient speed, he decided near the 1500 Metres to take his mount back and across behind runners to avoid being caught wide. He said YANKEE travelled comfortably in a rearward position throughout. He said on straightening he commenced to ride YANKEE along and the horse responded nicely. He said near the 200 Metres as he was making ground, he felt a run was appearing between FLUKE and MELLIFLUOUS and he therefore shifted his mount in in the hope of obtaining that run. He said the only other option available to him was to shift his mount to the outside of the field which would have involved a greater shift. He said after the 200 Metres when the run he was angling for did not eventuate due to horses on the inside shifting out, he was then held up and unable to obtain clear running until near the 100 Metres. He said after this YANKEE finished the race off strongly. C K Tong was told his explanation would be reported. When questioned regarding the poor performance of LHOJONG, D Whyte said his mount did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race. He said in the past LHOJONG had on occasions hung in in the Straight, however, was inclined to do so for the majority of tonight's race. He said LHOJONG, which is a horse well-known to him, did not appear normal in its action tonight and gave ground quickly after straightening. He said in his opinion LHOJONG felt sore in front. LHOJONG was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of LHOJONG after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, LHOJONG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WONDERFUL BLESSING was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WONDERFUL BLESSING after the race did not show any significant findings. LOTZATOW and CONGRATS were sent for sampling.