17/11/2010  Happy Valley  Race 6

VITALITY EXPRESS began awkwardly. WIN PRACTITIONER was crowded for room at the start between ANTIPASTO and VICTORY MASCOT which shifted in. From the outside barrier, GREAT BAUHINIA was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1800 Metres, GREAT BAUHINIA raced in restricted room between VICTORY MASCOT and ANTIPASTO. After the 1500 Metres, AMITYSHIP was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, WIN PRACTITIONER was checked away from the heels of FEARLESS when proving difficult to settle. Near the 900 Metres, VITALITY EXPRESS brushed the running rail and became unbalanced. Near the 250 Metres, EASTERN EMPIRE got its head on the side and shifted out and then near the 150 Metres ran in abruptly, resulting in VITALITY EXPRESS being inconvenienced when taken in. A veterinary inspection of STRAWBERRY and PRIME TARGET after the race did not show any significant findings. The performances of STRAWBERRY and PRIME TARGET, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STRAWBERRY and PRIME TARGET will both be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. D Whyte (VITALITY EXPRESS) reported that the horse made an abnormal breathing noise after the race. A veterinary inspection of VITALITY EXPRESS after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of VICTORY MASCOT, B Prebble stated that the horse began fairly as in the past it had been quite slow to begin. He said after being shifted across behind runners, he was obliged to urge VICTORY MASCOT along in the early stages in order to maintain its position. He said as he did not want to be positioned behind SUPER GENKI, he rode VICTORY MASCOT along passing the 1800 Metres so that ANTIPASTO could not take VICTORY MASCOT to the fence. He said this allowed VICTORY MASCOT the opportunity to follow WIN PRACTITIONER, a horse he considered to be a strong chance in tonight’s race, throughout the event. He said the tempo throughout the race suited VICTORY MASCOT as evidenced by the fact that the winner, GREAT BAUHINIA, and WIN PRACTITIONER, the runner up, were positioned towards the rear of the field with VICTORY MASCOT. He added that passing the 400 Metres VICTORY MASCOT was steadied when racing in restricted room between GREAT BAUHINIA and WIN PRACTITIONER, however, when placed under pressure in the Straight, VICTORY MASCOT was most disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY MASCOT after the race revealed the horse to be an early “roarer”. Trainer C Fownes, who was not present at tonight’s racemeeting, will be interviewed prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 21 November 2010 regarding the disappointing performance of VICTORY MASCOT. VICTORY MASCOT, GREAT BAUHINIA and WIN PRACTITIONER were sent for sampling.