26/01/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

MIRAGE R was crowded for room at the start between TIME LEGEND and HO WONGCHOY, both of which shifted ground. JUGGERNAUT began awkwardly. TAKNAM was slow to begin and shortly after the start that horse and GO LUCKY GO were crowded for room between HAPPY SEVEN and OCEAN PRINCE which shifted in. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, GO LUCKY GO was momentarily steadied away from the heels of EASTERN EMPIRE which shifted in when barely clear. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, JUGGERNAUT proved difficult to settle and was steadied away from the heels of TIME LEGEND which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MIRAGE R. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, ROYAL PUMPKIN was held up for clear running. Near the 50 Metres, PANTHER RUN was steadied away from the heels of EASTERN EMPIRE which was taken in slightly by GO LUCKY GO (M Guyon) which shifted in. M Guyon was advised to ensure that he does his utmost to prevent his mounts form shifting ground in similar circumstances. When questioned, D Whyte (HO WONGCHOY) stated that in the early stages he was able to obtain a position behind HAPPY SEVEN which was racing to the outside of the leader, RECORD HIGH. He said making the turn near the 1000 Metres he became awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY SEVEN and at this time HO WONGCHOY became unbalanced in its action and he felt that HO WONGCHOY had been galloped on by OCEAN PRINCE. He said when this happened, HO WONGCHOY commenced to race ungenerously and he was unable to hold that horse in behind HAPPY SEVEN. He said that for this reason he shifted HO WONGCHOY to the outside of HAPPY SEVEN and commenced to improve his position rather than continue to restrain HO WONGCHOY behind the heels of HAPPY SEVEN. He added that when he commenced to improve his position, HAPPY SEVEN was allowed to stride forward by its rider and as he was of the view that he would have had to make considerable use of HO WONGCHOY to improve with HAPPY SEVEN at this time, he elected to steady HO WONGCHOY and obtain a position behind HAPPY SEVEN. He said when he did this, OCEAN PRINCE was ridden along to improve its position inside HO WONGCHOY, therefore he was not able to shift into a position one off the fence and was obliged after this to race three wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of HO WONGCHOY after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that HAPPY SEVEN had sustained cuts to its left hind leg. GO LUCKY GO, OCEAN PRINCE and RECORD HIGH were sent for sampling.