23/10/2011  Happy Valley  Race 3

BLAZE RAIDER began awkwardly, shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of NATURAL FLAME. Shortly after the start, TRUE VALOUR was checked when crowded for room between PILLOWIN which began awkwardly and shifted in and SECRET OF WINNING which shifted out after bumping SPICY SHRIMP. After the 600 Metres, BLAZE RAIDER was steadied away from the heels of SPICY SHRIMP which was taken in by SECRET OF WINNING (Apprentice K C Ng). When BLAZE RAIDER was steadied, it shifted out, resulting in D DAY SUPER being hampered and PILLOWIN being taken wider. Apprentice Ng was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. For some distance after the 500 Metres, LUCKY RED was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PILLOWIN. After the 200 Metres, TRUE VALOUR was steadied away form the heels of SPICY SHRIMP and near the 50 Metres got its head on the side and shifted in. In the Straight, RUMBA KING raced greenly under pressure and shifted ground on a number of occasions. When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung advised that he had been instructed, from the outside barrier, not to ride LUCKY RED along in the early stages, but rather to attempt to obtain a position with cover if possible. He said although LUCKY RED began very well, he noticed PILLOWIN being ridden along to his inside to obtain a more forward position after being hampered at the start and bearing in mind he had been instructed not to ride LUCKY RED along in the early stages, he attempted to shift LUCKY RED behind PILLOWIN to obtain a position with cover as he had been asked. The Veterinary Officer reported that FOR AARON had bled from both nostrils and that PILLOWIN had sustained a mild abrasion wound to the inside of the left hind fetlock. A veterinary inspection of BLAZE RAIDER after the race revealed that the horse had sustained a cut wound to the upper left hind cannon. RUMBA KING, PROSPEROUS and TRUE VALOUR were sent for sampling.