08/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 8

BLESSING began awkwardly and lost ground. In the early and middle stages, MAINLAND SHUTTLE travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 1300 Metres, when the tempo of the race steadied, a number of runners were inconvenienced, the worst sufferers being UNIQUE SPEED, MELLIFLUOUS, ABLE DRAGON, ADD THE FUN, BLESSING, MAINLAND SHUTTLE and NOBLE SILENCE. Approaching the turn at the 1000 Metres, ADD THE FUN was checked away from the heels of BABY WAVE. BLESSING, MELLIFLUOUS and ABLE DRAGON were hampered in consequence. At the 250 Metres, UNIQUE SPEED was steadied away from the heels of NOBLE SILENCE which was carried wider by DRAGON EYE. PRIME TARGET, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Near the finish, ABLE DRAGON improved close to the heels of MELLIFLUOUS. Because of this, ABLE DRAGON was not ridden out right to the end of the race. When questioned, K T Yeung (BIG WINNER AGAIN) explained he had been instructed to ride his mount quietly with cover from the outside barrier. He said in accordance with those instructions after beginning well he restrained BIG WINNER AGAIN and took the horse back to a position with cover which was near the rear. He said BIG WINNER AGAIN travelled comfortably in the run. He said when NOBLE SILENCE improved its position around the field after entering the Back Straight, he did not follow that horse forward and BIG WINNER AGAIN continued to travel comfortably. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres he commenced to ride BIG WINNER AGAIN along, however, the horse failed to make ground. He said on straightening he shifted BIG WINNER AGAIN out into clear running and the horse closed the race off fairly. Mr A T Millard, trainer of BIG WINNER AGAIN, said as the horse was having its first start at Happy Valley he was concerned from the outside barrier with the rail in the C+3 position, the horse might be left racing wide and without cover if it were to go forward in the early stages. He said BIG WINNER AGAIN where possible has been ridden with cover as it is his belief that the horse performs best when ridden in this manner. He did say BIG WINNER AGAIN travelled further back than he had anticipated, however, because of the manner in which the early stages of the race was run, this was necessary to ensure the horse did obtain cover. He said he was disappointed with the response of BIG WINNER AGAIN when the horse was placed under pressure at the 600 Metres as he anticipated it would make ground given the run it had had. Mr Millard and K T Yeung were told the tactics adopted on BIG WINNER AGAIN in tonight’s race had come under notice, particularly given the lack of exposed pace influences in the race. BIG WINNER AGAIN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, BIG WINNER AGAIN was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse had an intermittent displacement of the soft palate. UNIQUE SPEED, DRAGON EYE and MELLIFLUOUS were sent for sampling. Prior to the running of Race 1 at the Sha Tin racemeeting held on Monday, 13 April 2009, the Stewards will interview W C Marwing (MAN IN THE MIRROR) regarding the riding of his mount and W M Lai (NOBLE SILENCE) regarding the riding of his mount in the run to the winning post.