26/02/2014  Happy Valley  Race 3

SIGHT BELIEVER began only fairly. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, both THE PRINCE and ORIENTAL PROSPER failed to muster speed and near the 900 Metres were shifted in across behind runners to obtain cover. After the 500 Metres, ROCKET LET WIN got its head on the side and near the 400 Metres lost ground when being checked after laying out towards the heels of GOLD TALENT. Over the concluding stages, GOLD EDITION and GENERAL IRON raced tight. For the majority of the race, BRILLIANT PROPOSAL travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of LUCKY HAMMER, Apprentice K C Ng stated that it was anticipated that LUCKY HAMMER would obtain a position behind midfield over the 1000 Metres of tonight’s race. He said he was asked to have the horse as close as possible in the early stages so as to be well-positioned to make his finishing run. He said LUCKY HAMMER began fairly and he rode his mount along approaching the 900 Metres to remain racing outside ROCKET LET WIN which was positioned to the inside of LUCKY HAMMER and in advance of his mount. He said despite being ridden along LUCKY HAMMER was not able to obtain the position outside ROCKET LET WIN due to THE PRINCE shifting in to occupy that position. He said as the rail was in the C+3 position tonight, he shifted LUCKY HAMMER across ROCKET LET WIN after the 800 Metres to race on the rail. He added prior to the 700 Metres he rode his mount along aggressively hands and heels to establish his position immediately behind ROCKET LET WIN and making the turn after the 600 Metres he had obtained the position behind that horse and inside ORIENTAL PROSPER. He said after the 500 Metres he again rode his mount along to ensure that it maintained its position behind ROCKET LET WIN, however, passing the 400 Metres he had to check LUCKY HAMMER out away from the heels of that horse when ROCKET LET WIN lost ground. He said shortly after straightening he shifted LUCKY HAMMER to the inside of GOLD TALENT into clear running between that horse and ROCKET LET WIN. He said he was reluctant to use the whip on the horse at this time as he was obtaining a tight run between those horses and did not want LUCKY HAMMER to shift ground. He did say however that he was riding his mount hands and heels at all stages when obtaining running between the two horses. He further stated that after the 200 Metres he commenced to improve past GOLD TALENT and ROCKET LET WIN and continued to ride the horse heels and heels aggressively until near the 100 Metres at which time he struck it with the whip in the backhand manner. He said at all stages of the Straight he was fully testing LUCKY HAMMER and that the horse gave off its best and finished off the race strongly. Apprentice Ng was advised that the Stewards took no issue with his riding until near the 200 Metres, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, his riding over the final 200 Metres lacked the necessary vigour expected of a rider on a horse which is clearly finishing off the race strongly. Apprentice Ng was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he rides his mounts with sufficient vigour and purpose so that his riding of horses is not open to query. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY HAMMER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIGHT BELIEVER, GOLD EDITION and GENERAL IRON were sent for sampling.