23/02/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

MY TIME was withdrawn prior to Race 1 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore and lame left front fetlock). Before being allowed to race again, MY TIME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Shortly after the start, JUMBO GOLD was bumped by FLYING COLOURS which shifted out after being bumped by MI REILLY. This resulted in FLYING COLOURS becoming unbalanced. From a wide draw, WITHINMYHEART was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. At the 1000 Metres, D DAY SUPER was hampered by ALWAYS SOMETHING which shifted out slightly away from the heels of ELITE SIXTY-SIX. JUMBO GOLD travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, ALWAYS SOMETHING was momentarily crowded for room inside JUN QI which shifted in slightly. Rounding the Home Turn, GOOD STRIKE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of D DAY SUPER. Throughout the race, IMPECCABLE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that he had not been given any specific instructions on how GOOD STRIKE should be ridden as the horse is well-known to him, however, it was felt that the horse may be able to obtain a position in midfield or slightly worse. He said after beginning well, he was reluctant to ride his mount along in the early stages to cross D DAY SUPER to his inside as he felt he would have had to make too much use of GOOD STRIKE. He said for this reason he allowed D DAY SUPER to improve its position to the inside of GOOD STRIKE and then shifted across behind that horse to race closer to the fence. He said however that this resulted in GOOD STRIKE racing slightly further back than had been intended. Apprentice Yeung was advised to ensure that his mounts do not get too far out of their ground in the early stages. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JUN QI, O Doleuze stated that his mount travelled well until rounding the Home Turn, however, when shifted out to make its final run immediately came off the bridle and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened. He added that JUN QI’s action deteriorated over the concluding stages when giving ground. A veterinary inspection of JUN QI after the race did not show any significant findings. ALWAYS SOMETHING, ELITE SIXTY-SIX and JUMBO GOLD were sent for sampling.