09/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 2

LUCKY WINNER began awkwardly. PERFECT FIT and DESCARTES were badly crowded for room at the start between SHOWTIME which was taken in slightly by MEGABUCKS and SUPER GOAL CHAMP which on jumping shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. In this incident, DESCARTES bumped the hindquarters of SHOWTIME, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced. Near the 1150 Metres, PERFECT FIT, which was racing in restricted room, was steadied when crowded for room between SUPER GOAL CHAMP and DESCARTES which shifted in. Approaching the first turn, DESCARTES, which was being restrained by its rider, was momentarily crowded for room between SUPER GOAL CHAMP and SHOWTIME which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly. Rounding the first turn, DOUBLE DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of HIGH LUCK which shifted in momentarily before being directed out. Near the 800 Metres, DESCARTES was steadied away from the heels of DOUBLE DRAGON (C W Wong) which shifted in when not quite clear. C W Wong was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in future. Shortly after entering the Straight, DESCARTES was steadied away from the heels of DOUBLE DRAGON which shifted in. In the Straight, HIGH LUCK hung in. Throughout the race, LUCKY WINNER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Victoire (SOHNA) stated that passing the 600 Metres he elected to shift to the inside of THE UNTOUCHABLELAD which he followed throughout the race as he felt that that horse was shifting out to make its run. He said rounding the Home Turn he was obliged to steady away from the heels of THE UNTOUCHABLELAD which shifted in, therefore he then elected to endeavour to shift to the outside of that horse to make his run in the Straight. He said after being steadied away from the heels of THE UNTOUCHABLELAD in the early part of the Straight, he commenced riding SOHNA along, he initially rode the horse out with the whip in the left hand, however, SOHNA was commencing to shift ground close to the heels of THE UNTOUCHABLELAD, therefore he changed the whip into the right hand and used it on one occasion. He said however, as SOHNA was placed outside of the heels of THE UNTOUCHABLELAD, he elected to put the whip away and rode SOHNA out hands and heels in the run to the line. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DOUBLE DRAGON, C W Wong stated that the horse travelled only fairly throughout the race and rounding the Home Turn made an abnormal breathing noise. He said after this, despite him riding the horse out, DOUBLE DRAGON was disappointing in that it failed to respond to his riding. He did say that on returning to the Parade Ring after the race, DOUBLE DRAGON continued to make an abnormal breathing noise on a number of occasions. A veterinary inspection of DOUBLE DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. In the circumstances, the performance of DOUBLE DRAGON, a favourite for tonight’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, DOUBLE DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DOUBLE DRAGON, MEGABUCKS and ASIAN CITRUS were sent for sampling.