06/10/2010  Happy Valley  Race 3

From the outside barrier, SNITZEL KID was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, LUCKY EMPEROR was crowded for room between SOLDIER and PROJECT RUNWAY which shifted in. Also shortly after the start, YUAN’S FORTUNE and FUN AND FAST bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced and FUN AND FAST shifting in and bumping the hindquarters of FLASHING GUY. Near the 1000 Metres, FIONN’S DRAGON got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of YUAN’S FORTUNE. For some distance passing the 1000 Metres, FLASHING GUY got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. Near the 850 Metres, FIONN’S DRAGON became badly unbalanced and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of FUN AND FAST. In this incident, FIONN’S DRAGON shifted out and was checked away from the heels of YUAN’S FORTUNE. Rounding the Home Turn, OUR WISH, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied away from the heels of HIGH AIM which shifted out abruptly after becoming awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLASHING GUY. In this incident, HIGH AIM shifted out and bumped FUN AND FAST which in turn bumped MAKE IT. FIONN’S DRAGON, which was following MAKE IT, was hampered in consequence. In the Straight, FIONN’S DRAGON hung in and proved difficult to ride. For the major part of the race, MAKE IT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of SOLDIER in the Straight, C W Wong stated that rounding the Home Turn he observed HIGH AIM, which was racing in advance of SOLDIER, shift out abruptly. He said as he felt that that horse may shift in after making contact with another runner, he was reluctant to immediately improve to the inside of that horse. He said when it became apparent that HIGH AIM was not going to shift in, he commenced to ride his mount along hands and heels and passing the 200 Metres used the whip on the horse. He said after using the whip on SOLDIER on a number of occasions, his whip was knocked from his hand by the whip of Apprentice M L Yeung (THINK BIG). C W Wong was advised that his lack of vigour on SOLDIER, particularly in the early part of the Straight, had come under notice and that he should ensure that he rides his mounts in such a fashion as to leave no room for query. He was further reminded that he had been spoken to on a number of occasions last season regarding the manner in which he had ridden horses in races. FUN AND FAST, PROJECT RUNWAY and HIGH AIM were sent for sampling.