11/11/2009  Happy Valley  Race 4

NAMJONG FIGHTERS was slow to begin. BOBO WIN was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was checked away from the heels of SUPREME COMMANDER which shifted in after being brushed by DECAGONAL. FORTUNE WARRIOR began awkwardly, then shortly after the start was crowded for room between UNIQUE SPEED and LUCKY TYCOON which was taken out by VICTORY MASCOT. Near the 1300 Metres, TREMENDOUS PLUS was momentarily crowded for room inside CARRY GOOD NEWS. Near the 1100 Metres, BOLD CHAMPION got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied away from the heels of LUCKY TYCOON. Near the 1000 Metres, NAMJONG FIGHTERS shifted out, taking VICTORY MASCOT wider. UNIQUE SPEED travelled wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres. When questioned, S K Sit (NAMJONG FIGHTERS) stated that he had been instructed to have the horse in 4th or 5th position with cover if possible. He said NAMJONG FIGHTERS was very fractious in the barriers and when the gates opened was slow to begin. He said in the early stages NAMJONG FIGHTERS lay out and for this reason, passing the winning post on the first occasion, he was not able to maintain his position racing to the inside of TREMENDOUS PLUS. He said near the 1000 Metres NAMJONG FIGHTERS shifted out abruptly away from the heels of TREMENDOUS PLUS and continued to lay out at this time. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that rounding the Home Turn he placed VICTORY MASCOT under pressure including using the whip on the horse in a backhand manner. He said he continued to ride VICTORY MASCOT along vigorously hands and heels in the early part of the Straight, but he was reluctant to use the whip on the horse as he was unsure as to whether he would be able to obtain clear running. He added after initially directing his mount towards a run between UNIQUE SPEED and DECAGONAL passing the 200 Metres, he was obliged to steady VICTORY MASCOT and shift to the outside of UNIQUE SPEED when that run closed. He said after shifting to the outside of UNIQUE SPEED, he recommenced riding VICTORY MASCOT out vigorously in the run to the line. When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung (DECAGONAL) stated that with the horse being better drawn tonight in barrier 3, it was decided to ride it with cover behind the leaders if possible. He said in the early stages HEALTHY BLUEBERRY was ridden along to lead, therefore he allowed that horse to cross DECAGONAL near the 1200 Metres. He added making the turn near the 1000 Metres the tempo of the race steadied which resulted in DECAGONAL proving difficult to settle. He said however that, having in mind his instructions were to obtain cover, he was reluctant to allow DECAGONAL to stride forward to race outside HEALTHY BLUEBERRY. HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and BOBO WIN were sent for sampling.