21/10/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

BAUHINIA shifted out at the start, resulting in REAL REJOICING being hampered. COVER BOY was slow to begin and then was ridden along to obtain a forward position. RAIN OF THUNDER raced wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres at which point REAL REJOICING was left racing wide and without cover. After obtaining a run between VITALITY CHAMP and COVER BOY (Y T Cheng) passing the 300 Metres, DRAGON BOY was crowded for room approaching the 200 Metres when COVER BOY shifted in slightly. As Y T Cheng corrected COVER BOY to allow sufficient racing room for DRAGON BOY on his inside, COVER BOY shifted out abruptly, resulting in SUPER IDEAL being checked when crowded for room between that horse and SURE GAIN. RAIN OF THUNDER, which was racing outside of SUPER IDEAL, was hampered in consequence. As the Stewards formed the view that COVER BOY was shifted out slightly when relieving crowding to its inside, no further action was taken other than to advise Y T Cheng to make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course in similar circumstances. Passing the 100 Metres, COVER BOY was steadied away from the heels of DRAGON BOY which shifted out slightly. Also passing the 100 Metres, the whip of G Cheyne (SUPER IDEAL) was knocked from his hand by the whip of O Doleuze (DRAGON BOY). B Prebble (ENERGETIC BOY) stated that he was instructed to attempt to make his run between horses as it is the opinion of the trainer that ENERGETIC BOY is best suited closing off the race in this fashion. He said accordingly he remained racing behind NATURAL ECHO passing the 500 Metres in the hope that that horse would shift out to improve its position and he would be able to obtain a run between that horse and BAUHINIA. He said however near the 400 Metres it became apparent to him that NATURAL ECHO was not going to shift out, therefore he shifted his mount to the outside of that horse and made his finishing run down the outside of the field. Apprentice K C Leung (DECENT FELLOW) reported that after being steadied to shift in to a position closer to the fence shortly after the start, DECENT FELLOW was reluctant to stretch out despite his riding the horse along. He said he was continually niggling at DECENT FELLOW to have the horse travel, however, it did not pick up the bit until about the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of DECENT FELLOW and STAR OF CHIU TON after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of COVER BOY after the race also did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its right front plate. RAIN OF THUNDER, SURE GAIN and SUPER IDEAL were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NATURAL ECHO had lost its right front plate.