02/03/2011  Happy Valley  Race 5

HAPPY CHA CHA was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between JAI JAI HO and STEEL NERVES which was bumped by CLASSA. Shortly after the start, SURE FORWARD was bumped by MY WAY which was taken out by AMBITIOUS TREASURE. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, ABLE DRAGON was left racing wide and without cover and near the 1000 Metres was allowed to stride forward. Near the 1300 Metres, HAPPY CHA CHA raced tight inside STEEL NERVES. A short distance later, STEEL NERVES shifted out and bumped MACHO EXPRESSO which became unbalanced. Near the 900 Metres, HAPPY CHA CHA shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOM’S EIGHTH and for some distance after this raced in restricted room inside STEEL NERVES. Near the 150 Metres, ABLE DRAGON shifted out and bumped SURE FORWARD. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung (DAILY DOUBLE) stated that approaching the 600 Metres he shifted from a two wide position into a three wide position in an endeavour to follow CLASSA which was commencing to improve its position in the race. He said as he did this, STEEL NERVES was also shifted out to follow CLASSA and this resulted in DAILY DOUBLE being taken wider. He said rather than continue to race unnecessarily wide, he elected to shift DAILY DOUBLE back in behind STEEL NERVES until rounding the Home Turn. When questioned, Apprentice C Y Ho stated that near the 200 Metres MACHO EXPRESSO changed stride and at this time the horse became unbalanced in its action and shortened stride. He said for this reason he did not test MACHO EXPRESSO out over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of MACHO EXPRESSO, which finished tailed out, after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MACHO EXPRESSO was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MACHO EXPRESSO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TOM’S EIGHTH, AMBITIOUS TREASURE and SURE FORWARD were sent for sampling.