02/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 7

SUPER SPRIT was withdrawn on 30.11.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame both fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ELEGANCE DESIRE (D Beadman). Before being allowed to race again, SUPER SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 1100 Metres, ONE WEE ACORN was steadied away from the heels of CHARMGOLD which shifted out. Approaching the 800 Metres, JOYFUL JOYFUL got its head up when being checked away from the heels of SOU MA TAM. Passing the 800 Metres, HAPPY TUMBLER shifted out abruptly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ELEGANCE DESIRE. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, MALAYAN BRIGHT was checked when reluctant to maintain its position when racing tight between ENERGIZED and CHARMGOLD which shifted in slightly. When MALAYAN BRIGHT was checked, ELEGANCE DESIRE shifted out away from that horse, resulting in HAPPY TUMBLER being taken wider. Soon after straightening, HAPPY TUMBLER was directed back to the inside of MALAYAN BRIGHT to continue into clear running. In the Straight, HAPPY TUMBLER raced greenly. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of NEW KING PRAWN, Z Purton stated that the horse travelled well throughout the race, however, approaching the Home Turn when he asked the horse to improve its position, NEW KING PRAWN did not respond to his riding. He said in the Straight NEW KING PRAWN raced “flat” and then over the concluding stages he became concerned with the horse’s action and therefore eased it down. A veterinary inspection of NEW KING PRAWN after the race did not show any significant findings. In the circumstances, the performance of NEW KING PRAWN was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, NEW KING PRAWN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he was instructed to have ELEGANCE DESIRE, which was having its first start in Hong Kong tonight, racing where it was comfortable, however, it was hoped that the horse would show good gate speed and would be able to take up a forward position. He said ELEGANCE DESIRE was fractious in the barriers and as the start was effected began awkwardly and then knuckled when steadied away from the heels of SOU MA TAM. He added after this he shifted ELEGANCE DESIRE into a position close to the fence, however, making the first turn the horse got its head on the side and hung out badly. He did say in its track work ELEGANCE DESIRE had also hung out rounding turns. He said along the Back Straight ELEGANCE DESIRE raced tractably and he was able to shift the horse across to a position closer to the fence, however, making the turn at the 600 Metres ELEGANCE DESIRE shifted out away from MALAYAN BRIGHT when that horse was checked and commenced to hang out badly. He said ELEGANCE DESIRE continued to hang out rounding the Home Turn and became quite unbalanced. He said in the early part of the Straight he balanced the horse up and then commenced to ride it along. He stated after initially riding the horse hands and heels, he pulled the whip passing the 200 Metres and the horse responded well to his riding and closed off the race strongly. D Beadman added that following the race he advised Mr J Moore, trainer of ELEGANCE DESIRE, that, in his opinion, the horse would be better suited at Sha Tin and over a distance of longer than the 1200 Metres of tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL JOYFUL after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of JOYFUL JOYFUL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, JOYFUL JOYFUL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ONE WEE ACORN and ROYAL DOCTOR were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MALAYAN BRIGHT had lost its left front plate.