13/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 4

HONEST TREASURE began awkwardly. ASIAN CITRUS began awkwardly and then bumped the hindquarters of CONQUEROR which shifted out. As a consequence, ASIAN CITRUS lost ground. WING MASTER was slow into stride. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, HONEST TREASURE was steadied away from the heels of GALLANT HUSSAR which initially shifted out and then when shifting back in was steadied away from the heels of SOU MA TAM which became unbalanced and was carried out after bumping with WING MASTER. Prior to entering the Back Straight, WING MASTER, which had been ridden along, was checked to avoid the heels of LUCKY BOY which after crossing to the lead steadied the tempo. Near the 700 Metres, AMO was steadied away from the heels of GALLANT HUSSAR. At the 200 Metres, LUCKY BOY and SOU MA TAM brushed. In the Straight, WING MASTER hung in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, M W Leung (FLYING SPRINTER) said he had been instructed from a wide barrier to take his mount back in the early stages to a position on the rail. He said it was explained to him prior to the race that at its most recent start FLYING SPRINTER performed poorly over the same course and distance after hanging out for the major part of the race and travelling wide and without cover. He said because of the wide draw tonight it was felt if FLYING SPRINTER were to be ridden forward, it might again be left racing wide and without cover and the horse might race in a similar manner to its most recent start. He said tonight after being taken back in the early stages, FLYING SPRINTER closed the race off fairly. ASIAN CITRUS and SOU MA TAM were sent for sampling.