21/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 6

Shortly after the start, MONTE CRISTO and TOP HONOR were crowded for room between BOUNCER and EASTERN EMPIRE which was taken in by BILLION. C W Wong (TOP HONOR) dropped his whip near the 300 Metres. When questioned regarding the performance of BILLION, Y T Cheng stated that he had to make more use of BILLION in the early stages to cross STRAWBERRY than he would have wished. He added because of this the early sections of the race were run quicker than he had hoped. He said after reaching the lead approaching the 1600 Metres, he was able to steady the tempo. He said after this BILLION travelled satisfactorily, but in the Straight did not respond to his riding and failed to finish off the race as he expected. He said, in his opinion, the amount of work he had to do on BILLION in the early stages was the principal reason for the horse not being able to finish off the race. When questioned regarding the performance of EASTERN EMPIRE, M Chadwick stated that his mount did not travel as he thought it should at any stage of the race. He said EASTERN EMPIRE was left flat-footed when the field sprinted near the 700 Metres. He said at the 700 Metres ANTIPASTO improved around EASTERN EMPIRE, however, EASTERN EMPIRE was not travelling well enough for him to hold ANTIPASTO out. He said approaching the 400 Metres EASTERN EMPIRE shifted in to the fence when BOUNCER improved to his outside and this was due to the manner in which EASTERN EMPIRE was travelling at that time. He stated in the Straight EASTERN EMPIRE finished off the race only one-paced and, in his opinion, was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of BILLION and EASTERN EMPIRE after the race did not show any significant findings. BOUNCER, ANTIPASTO and MAN IN THE MIRROR were sent for sampling.