11/11/2009  Happy Valley  Race 7

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, BEAUTY FOREVER failed to muster speed. Shortly after entering the Back Straight, QUICK TOUCH got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied away from the heels of DORDENMA. ABOVE ALL had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the Straight. When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung (FAT DRAGON) stated that he had been instructed to lead on the horse if possible. He said accordingly he rode FAT DRAGON along in the early stages to take up a forward position, however, the horse failed to muster speed and despite being ridden along was only able to obtain a position in about midfield. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was solid, however, on entering the Back Straight he believed the tempo of the race slowed and for this reason he made the decision to shift out initially from behind QUICK TOUCH and then REWARDING STAR and improve his position at the 900 Metres. He stated when he made the decision to shift out, he felt that DORDENMA would maintain its position behind and outside of LU YUE which would afford FAT DRAGON the opportunity to shift in and assume a position outside the leader LU YUE. He said however DORDENMA improved its position and for this reason FAT DRAGON was left racing three wide and without cover. Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of FAT DRAGON, confirmed the instructions issued to Apprentice Yeung and also stated that he had advised Apprentice Yeung that FAT DRAGON is a horse that has previously been able to race competitively when racing without cover. He said, in his opinion, due to the tempo of the race slackening on entering the Back Straight, he believed that Apprentice Yeung had shown initiative by shifting out at that time in order to take up a more forward position on the horse. AMBITIOUS GENERAL and DORDENMA were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that QUICK TOUCH had lost its left hind plate.