06/10/2010  Happy Valley  Race 1

TREASURE HUNT and BUMBLE BEE bumped at the start. GREAT FANTASY, which was slow to begin, was crowded for room on jumping between LUCKY TYCOON which shifted out after also beginning slowly and MAGIC KING which got its head on the side and shifted in. From wide barriers, SUNSHINE BOY and KING CREOLE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1000 Metres, KING CREOLE was steadied away from the heels of GREAT FANTASY which itself was racing tight inside MUSTANG. When being steadied near the 900 Metres, MAGIC KING got its head up and proved difficult to settle. In the early stages, HEXAGON travelled wide and without cover and passing the 900 Metres was allowed to stride forward into a position closer to the lead. However, HEXAGON continued to race wide and without cover throughout the remainder of the race. In the early part of the Straight, MUSTANG and BUMBLE BEE bumped as MUSTANG shifted out to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MUSTANG, B Prebble stated that his mount travelled in a similar position to its last start when it performed well. He said MUSTANG quickened nicely for a short distance in the early part of the Straight, however, over the final 200 Metres was most disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PLANET, Z Purton stated that in the barriers PLANET became very fractious and lunged at the front gates. He said although he made some use of the horse in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed, PLANET travelled well throughout the race, however, came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and was then most disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race in the Straight. Trainer C S Shum stated that PLANET had pleased him in its track work since its first up run this season and, in his opinion, the disappointing performance of the horse tonight could be attributed to it becoming fractious and unsettled in the barriers. A veterinary inspection of PLANET, BUMBLE BEE and MUSTANG after the race did not show any significant findings. MUSTANG, LUCKY TYCOON and BAYVIEW GREYSLEW were sent for sampling.