02/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 5

MARK UP and SPLENDID CHAMPION began awkwardly. HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and ROCKALOT bumped at the start. Despite being ridden along vigorously in the early stages, LUCKY MONEY failed to muster speed and when caught wide passing the 1000 Metres was allowed to stride forward, however, raced three wide and without cover outside the lead. From the outside barrier, NAMJONG HUNTER was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Also in the early stages, NAMJONG FIGHTERS travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 1600 Metres, STEEL NERVES was steadied away from the heels of MARVELLOUS. MARK UP, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Near the 1100 Metres, ROCKALOT was momentarily crowded for room inside MARK UP which itself was awkwardly placed inside STEEL NERVES. For some distance approaching the 800 Metres, MARK UP, which raced fiercely, was restrained away from the heels of NAMJONG FIGHTERS. Near the 500 Metres, MARK UP was steadied away from the heels of SPLENDID CHAMPION. NAMJONG HUNTER, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Near the 300 Metres, NAMJONG HUNTER was checked when crowded for room between SPLENDID CHAMPION and NAMJONG FIGHTERS which, after initially being taken out by ROCKALOT (B Prebble), shifted out away from that horse. In the circumstances, B Prebble was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise care in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding his riding of SPICY FRUITY, C W Wong stated that he was instructed to lead if possible, if not to sit in 2nd or 3rd position. He said he rode his mount vigorously in the early stages to cross to the lead, however, initially MARVELLOUS and then HEALTHY BLUEBERRY were ridden along to his inside. He said after crossing MARVELLOUS near the 1200 Metres, he had hoped to be able to shift across HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and lead on the rails, however, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY maintained its position to his inside. He said entering the Back Straight he felt the pace of the race had slowed and that there may have been an opportunity to cross HEALTHY BLUEBERRY and for this reason he looked on a number of occasions to his inside. He said however that HEALTHY BLUEBERRY was ridden to maintain its position to his inside and for this reason he was unable to cross that horse and was obliged to race to its outside. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MONEY and HEALTHY BLUEBERRY after the race did not show any significant findings. HEALTHY BLUEBERRY, KEEP ME and SUPER SURPRISE were sent for sampling.