21/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

As the start was effected, KOENIGSBERG stood flat-footed and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, KOENIGSBERG will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. CHEVALIER KING shifted out shortly after the start, resulting in SHIFACHI TRADITION being taken out onto JUN DAO. After this, both SHIFACHI TRADITION and JUN DAO were taken across behind runners. Passing the 400 Metres, CHEVALIER KING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EVER BEAUTY. Passing the 200 Metres, EVER BEAUTY became unbalanced when bumped by CHEVALIER KING which shifted to the inside of SECRET OF WINNING to obtain clear running. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he rode FLY HIGH along in the early stages in an endeavour to clear runners to his inside. He said however that as a number of runners positioned to his inside were being ridden along, he elected not to continue riding his mount along but rather attempt to obtain a position with cover. He said he felt that he would have had to do too much work on FLY HIGH to cross runners to his inside and therefore the horse would not have been able to finish off its race. When questioned, regarding the poor performance of DIAMOND KNIGHT, D Beadman stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden behind the speed if possible. He said DIAMOND KNIGHT, which became stirred up in the Parade Ring, was extremely fractious in the barriers and then when the gates opened began awkwardly and lost ground. He said because of this DIAMOND KNIGHT raced much further back in the field than had been anticipated. He said shortly after entering the Straight he shifted DIAMOND KNIGHT to the outside to make its final run, however, the horse did not respond to his riding as he thought it should and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND KNIGHT after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. CHEVALIER KING and AT MOMENT IN TIME were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BROTHERS IN ARMS had lost its left front plate.