01/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 8

On jumping, CHAMPION LAD, WARM EMBRACES and RED RULER were taken back. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, NILOMETER failed to muster. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, MINGS’ HERO, which was proving difficult to settle, was left racing wide and without cover. Over the concluding stages, NILOMETER hung in. Apprentice M L Yeung (CRYSTAL) explained he had been instructed to lead on his mount. He said CRYSTAL began well and he rode along in the early stages to obtain the fence in the lead. He said approaching the winning post on the first occasion he noticed SPEEDY WARRIOR being ridden along to go forward and he felt he would be required to make too much use of his mount to hold SPEEDY WARRIOR out from the lead. He added he was also aware that CRYSTAL finished strongly when not leading at its most recent start albeit that race was over 1200 Metres. He said he therefore decided to allow SPEEDY WARRIOR to cross in front of him and when he did this CRYSTAL relaxed and travelled comfortably for him. VIVA FIGHTER and MINGS’ HERO were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of VIVA FIGHTER and MINGS’ HERO after the race did not show any significant findings. CHAMPION LAD, SPEEDY WARRIOR and NILOMETER were sent for sampling.