21/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 3

Rounding the Home Turn, BRAVO HORSE was checked away from the heels of CLOVIS. Near the 250 Metres, ROCKET AND GOLD was steadied when disappointed for running between BRAVO HORSE and VITALITY CHAMP which shifted in. After this, ROCKET AND GOLD was held up for clear running for a short distance behind BRAVO HORSE. ENERGETIC BOY was held up for clear running near the 250 Metres and approaching the 200 Metres was shifted out to obtain clear running. ENERGETIC BOY then had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 100 Metres. When questioned, D Beadman stated that he had been instructed to lead on CLOVIS if possible. He said accordingly he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said approaching the winning post on the first occasion he felt that GOLDEN BOY, which was leading the race, may steady the tempo, therefore he rode CLOVIS along for a short distance to ascertain whether he may be able to lead the race as instructed. He said approaching the 1000 Metres VITALITY CHAMP, which was racing to his inside and behind the leader, GOLDEN BOY, shifted away from the fence, therefore he rode CLOVIS along to consolidate his position outside of GOLDEN BOY. Mr Y O Wong, the trainer of CLOVIS, stated that after devising the tactics to be adopted on CLOVIS tonight, it was decided principally by the owner that CLOVIS be ridden in a forward position and even lead the race if possible. He added CLOVIS has been disappointing since winning its only race in November 2007 and it was hoped that stepping up to the 1800 Metres the horse may respond better to being ridden in a more forward position. He said when ridden in a forward position tonight, CLOVIS was again disappointing. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LIGHTNING MOUNT, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse behind the leaders if possible. He added it was felt that LIGHTNING MOUNT was somewhat one-paced and would not benefit from being too far from the pace. He said he had to make use of LIGHTNING MOUNT to take up a forward position as instructed and then was required to niggle at the horse to maintain its position. He said LIGHTNING MOUNT was reluctant to race in a forward position, therefore he elected to allow GREAT SHOW to shift in passing the 1000 Metres rather than continuing to ride his mount along. He said LIGHTNING MOUNT travelled only fairly after this point and in the Straight did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. When questioned regarding the circumstances which led to BRAVO HORSE improving its position to the inside of VITALITY CHAMP mid-race, W M Lai (VITALITY CHAMP) stated that on entering the Back Straight, he had been following GOLDEN BOY and racing to the inside of CLOVIS. He said as GOLDEN BOY was an outsider in the race, he felt it would be in the best interests of VITALITY CHAMP to shift away from racing behind that horse and follow CLOVIS which he felt would be a better horse to take him into the race than GOLDEN BOY. A veterinary inspection of LIGHTNING MOUNT and VITALITY CHAMP after the race did not show any significant findings. BRAVO HORSE, ENERGETIC BOY and ROCKET AND GOLD were sent for sampling.