13/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 1

PUERTO RICO was withdrawn on 12.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right front foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LAZY BUDDIES (M Du Plessis). Before being allowed to race again, PUERTO RICO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After arriving at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to DECENT FELLOW was replaced. Near the 1800 Metres, COOL RUNNINGS was steadied when momentarily crowded for room inside NOBLE TWINS which in turn was racing tight inside GENIUS MASTER and COME HO CHOI. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, COOL RUNNINGS got its head up and shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of NOBLE TWINS. CHINSOLA, which was following, was steadied in consequence. When the tempo of the race steadied at the 1300 Metres, LITTLE BIG BOY, which had been carried into a three wide position without cover, was allowed to stride forward. Near the 1200 Metres, SURE GAIN was steadied away from the heels of LITTLE BIG BOY and then near the 1100 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, LAZY BUDDIES was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of SUPER POWER which shifted in momentarily. Approaching the 800 Metres, KINGSTON TEMPLE commenced to over-race and proved difficult to settle and after the 800 Metres was carried wider on the track. Approaching the Home Turn, NOBLE TWINS was held up and unable to improve from behind GENIUS MASTER which commenced to give ground, then shortly after straightening was steadied and shifted out when disappointed for running between CHINSOLA and COOL RUNNINGS. In the Straight, SPRING SMILES hung in. H W Lai (GENIUS MASTER) explained the horse’s poor performance was in his opinion due to the use he was required to make of it in the early stages of the race to travel in a forward position as instructed. GENIUS MASTER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GENIUS MASTER after the race did not show any significant findings. NOBLE TWINS, DECENT FELLOW and KINGSTON TEMPLE were sent for sampling.