21/01/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

SPICY FRUITY and SINGLE MALT were slow to begin, then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. NEW IDEA was slow into stride. Shortly after the start, NOBLE DE LAGO was bumped by INVESTAR. At the 700 Metres, NEW IDEA was hampered by MAGI JOY which got its head on the side and hung in. Approaching the turn at the 600 Metres, NEW IDEA was checked to avoid the heels of LUCKY BOY which was steadied away from the heels of INVESTAR which in turn was steadied away from the heels of NOBLE DE LAGO. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, ASIAN CITRUS was checked to avoid the heels of FLYING SPRINTER which was steadied away from the heels of JUST RIGHT as the tempo of the race steadied. When FLYING SPRINTER was steadied, it shifted out, causing GANBARIA to be carried wider. Prior to straightening, ASIAN CITRUS was steadied away from the heels of FLYING SPRINTER. After the 100 Metres, GANBARIA was steadied when crowded for room between FLYING SPRINTER and ASIAN CITRUS, both of which shifted ground. After this, GANBARIA was not ridden out to the end of the race. Throughout the race, GANBARIA travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of NOBLE DE LAGO, Mr K L Tsui, assistant trainer to Mr A T Millard, the trainer of the horse, said tonight’s race was considerably weaker than the race in which NOBLE DE LAGO was beaten at its most recent start as was reflected by the overall race time. He said at this stage of its career, the times run by NOBLE DE LAGO in its previous four race starts, all of which were over 1000 Metres, were similar. He said NOBLE DE LAGO was given a strong place chance by the stable at its most recent start, however, they were mindful of the strength of the race and that the horse had dropped in body weight. He said subsequent to that race NOBLE DE LAGO had shown improvement and the horse had regained some of the weight it had previously lost. He did say he believed the main reason for the improved performance of NOBLE DE LAGO tonight was the drop in class. Mr Tsui explained W M Lai had been engaged to ride NOBLE DE LAGO tonight in place of K T Yeung who had ridden the horse previously. He said the owner of NOBLE DE LAGO had requested W M Lai ride the horse as horses owned by her relatives had recently performed well when ridden by Jockey Lai. The Stewards will interview Trainer Millard regarding the improved performance of NOBLE DE LAGO upon his return to Hong Kong. SPICY FRUITY and SINGLE MALT were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SPICY FRUITY and SINGLE MALT after the race did not show any significant findings. NOBLE DE LAGO and INVESTAR were sent for sampling.