21/10/2009  Happy Valley  Race 6

At the start, STEP TO WIN was taken back behind runners. Shortly after the start, NEW GLORY and PLAN B bumped on a number of occasions. Also shortly after the start, B Prebble (NEW GLORY) extended his left elbow away from his body. He explained that at that time he shifted NEW GLORY out to avoid the heels of LUCKY RED. B Prebble was warned against the practice of extending his elbow away from his body. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, DIAMOND SUPREME proved difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of NEW GLORY which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of OCEAN WIDE. NEW GLORY made the Home Turn awkwardly. Approaching the 200 Metres, DIAMOND SUPREME was tightened for room between PLAN B which shifted out slightly and GLENEALY STAR (Y T Cheng) which shifted in under pressure. Y T Cheng was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure he does more to protect his fellow riders in similar circumstances. For some distance after this, DIAMOND SUPREME continued to race tight inside GLENEALY STAR. Throughout the race, GLENEALY STAR and CANNONISE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of ISLAND SPEED tonight as compared to its first up run for the current season on 16 September 2009, Trainer B K Ng stated that on that occasion, as instanced in the incidents report, the horse travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. He said since then he barrier trialed ISLAND SPEED at Happy Valley on 10 October 2009 and in his opinion the horse trialed well. He said that since that barrier trial, the work of ISLAND SPEED had improved markedly and for this reason he gave the horse a good each way chance in tonight’s race. He said in the past ISLAND SPEED had performed best when able to race near the fence which the horse was not able to do at its first start this season. A veterinary inspection of PLAN B after the race did not show any significant findings. OCEAN WIDE, ISLAND SPEED and DOUBLE LUCK were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ISLAND SPEED had lost its left front plate.