08/12/2010  Happy Valley  Race 4

BULLISH WIN was withdrawn on 7.12.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter YOUNG HERO (O Peslier). Before being allowed to race again, BULLISH WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide draws, OASIS DAVIS, GOODVIEW SUCCESSOR and HIGH LUCK were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, STEEL NERVES was crowded for room between CLASSA and RECORD HIGH which shifted out. Near the 250 Metres, CLASSA raced in restricted room between PAPAS and WHATABOB. When questioned regarding his riding over the final 800 Metres, Y T Cheng (ROMANCING TAMAR) stated that passing the 700 Metres there was an opportunity for him to edge his way to the outside of PAPAS so as to prevent HARRY HARRY improving its position forward of ROMANCING TAMAR. He said however that as his instructions were to position ROMANCING TAMAR in the “box seat” and then to wait until rounding the Home Turn before shifting ROMANCING TAMAR out, he elected to remain racing in a one-off position behind PAPAS. He said approaching the 400 Metres he elected to remain racing behind PAPAS rather than shifting out to follow HARRY HARRY as he was aware of YOUNG HERO being positioned to his outside and he felt that to have shifted out at this time may have resulted in interference to YOUNG HERO. He said at the entrance to the Straight he noticed PAPAS shift out, he then positioned ROMANCING TAMAR to obtain a run to the inside of that horse, however, CLASSA improved its position quickly to his inside which resulted in ROMANCING TAMAR being disappointed for the run to the inside of PAPAS. He added because of this ROMANCING TAMAR was badly held up and unable to improve its position when racing behind PAPAS until after the 200 Metres. Trainer A T Millard confirmed that he had instructed Y T Cheng to attempt to obtain a position behind the leaders and to shift out rounding the Home Turn to obtain clear running. He said he specifically mentioned to Jockey Cheng that he did not want ROMANCING TAMAR to make its run too early as the horse had shown in the past that it has a relatively short sprint. The Stewards advised Y T Cheng that, in their opinion, he had erred in failing to attempt to shift ROMANCING TAMAR out from behind PAPAS to follow HARRY HARRY approaching the 400 Metres which would have afforded the horse the opportunity to shift to the outside of HARRY HARRY immediately upon entering the Home Straight. Y T Cheng was reprimanded and further advised that he should ride his mounts in such a fashion so as to avail them of clear and uninterrupted running. ROMANCING TAMAR, RECORD HIGH and HIGH LUCK were sent for sampling.