16/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 2

At the start, SPLENDID CHAMPION, BABY WAVE and NEW IDEA were all badly crowded for room between ROCKALOT which shifted in after beginning awkwardly and TRAVEL GUIDE (Apprentice K C Leung) which, after beginning awkwardly, shifted out. As a result of this crowding, SPLENDID CHAMPION raced back in the field. In this incident, ROCKALOT also became unbalanced. Apprentice Leung was reprimanded and advised to ensure he does his utmost to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. DARPANA began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of WONG’S FAVOURITE. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, NEW IDEA got its head up when racing tight between BABY WAVE and SUPREME GOLD which shifted in. Then near the 1200 Metres, NEW IDEA again got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPREME GOLD. Near the 900 Metres, PERPETUAL DELIGHT got its head up when close to the heels of WONG’S FAVOURITE. BABY WAVE, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Also near the 900 Metres, NEW IDEA was checked away from the heels of SUPREME GOLD. In the early part of the Straight, SPLENDID CHAMPION was shifted out to obtain clear running, then passing the 100 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between TRAVEL GUIDE and NEW IDEA which shifted in. For the remainder of the race, SPLENDID CHAMPION was not able to obtain clear running and consequently was not tested. For the majority of the race, KEEP ME travelled wide and without cover. The performance of PERPETUAL DELIGHT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, PERPETUAL DELIGHT 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, Apprentice K C Leung stated that travelling along the Back Straight, he maintained a position outside the leader CENTURY KNIGHT which resulted in KEEP ME racing in a three wide position. He said passing the 700 Metres KEEP ME was pushed along to improve its position and he felt that he would have had to commence riding TRAVEL GUIDE along to maintain its position between CENTURY KNIGHT and KEEP ME. He said for this reason he elected to allow KEEP ME to cross TRAVEL GUIDE and travelled behind that horse until rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME GOLD and PERPETUAL DELIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. KEEP ME, ENCOSTA DON and TRAVEL GUIDE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that KEEP ME had lost its left hind plate. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on WONG’S FAVOURITE at the request of Trainer C W Chang. The Veterinary Officer reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea.