12/05/2010  Happy Valley  Race 1

EXTRA SPECIAL was slow to begin. TREASURABLE and MOUNT SURPLUS bumped at the start. MOUNT SURPLUS then shifted in and bumped MAGIC PRACTITIONER which made heavy contact with WINNING AHEAD which shifted out shortly after the start. From the outside barrier, MARVELLOUS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When being steadied near the 900 Metres, DESCARTES got its head up and proved difficult to settle. SUGAR ON TOP was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres was disappointed for running between MIGHTY WINNER and WINNING AHEAD. After this, SUGAR ON TOP was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MIGHTY WINNER which shifted out slightly and because of this had to be checked. SUGAR ON TOP then again had difficulty obtaining clear running between MIGHTY WINNER and WINNING AHEAD for the remainder of the race and close to the finishing line was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MIGHTY WINNER. Because of this, SUGAR ON TOP was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. MAGIC PRACTITIONER was not able to obtain clear running until the 200 Metres and then over the final 100 Metres was again held up when racing behind TREASURABLE and inside ASALI VICTORY. Because of this, MAGIC PRACTITIONER was not properly tested. Inside the 100 Metres, the whip of O Doleuze (DESCARTES) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of M Du Plessis (TREASURABLE). Throughout the race, both MOUNT SURPLUS and NOBLE ZOOM travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Prebble stated that after viewing the recent runs of ASALI VICTORY, he formed the opinion that use had been made of the horse to race in a forward position and consequently it has not finished off its races. He therefore recommended to ASALI VICTORY’s connections tonight that he ride the horse more quietly as, in his opinion, there was considerable speed drawn to his inside and were ASALI VICTORY to be ridden in a forward position, too much use would have to be made of the horse to cross runners or in the alternative it would be left racing wide. He said ASALI VICTORY’s connections agreed that the horse should be ridden more quietly tonight in the hope that it would be able to finish off the race. He said in the Straight when commencing to close off the race strongly, ASALI VICTORY got its head on the side, hung in and proved very difficult to ride. He said were it not for this fact, he believed ASALI VICTORY would have obtained a more prominent position at the end of the race. Trainer C S Shum confirmed that himself and the owners of ASALI VICTORY had agreed with Jockey Prebble that ASALI VICTORY should be ridden more quietly tonight and advised the Stewards that he himself had concerns that ASALI VICTORY would not be able to finish off the race if ridden in a forward position due to the anticipated solid tempo. A veterinary inspection of MOUNT SURPLUS after the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING AHEAD, MIGHTY WINNER and CHAIN WIN were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that WINNING AHEAD was lame in the right front leg and that ASALI VICTORY had sustained a cut to the right front cannon. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING AHEAD and ASALI VICTORY will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination.