26/10/2011  Happy Valley  Race 2

ZEPHYRUS became unbalanced at the start when bumped by VIVA GUY which shifted out. SPANDAU BALLET and BULLISH POWER were checked on jumping when crowded for room between GREAT SHOW which got its head on the side and shifted out and CHINA DRAGON which shifted in after bumping with BRILLIANT CHARIOT. From wide barriers, NICKU and SUISSE D’OR were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ZEPHYRUS raced tight inside SPANDAU BALLET which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LEO’S PRIDE. Approaching the 1200 Metres, NICKU was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPANDAU BALLET which itself was steadied away from the heels of LEO’S PRIDE. Near the 200 Metres, ZEPHYRUS was shifted in when disappointed for running between BAITIWU and BESPOKE MASTER. Near the 150 Metres, BRILLIANT CHARIOT was steadied and shifted out when disappointed for running between LEO’S PRIDE and BESPOKE MASTER which, after initially getting its head on the side and shifting out and away from BAITIWU, was then taken out by that horse. Inside the 100 Metres, ZEPHYRUS shifted out and bumped SPANDAU BALLET. Close to the finishing line, BAITIWU and LEO’S PRIDE bumped and became unbalanced due to both horses shifting ground. When questioned, K C Leung (CHINA DRAGON) stated that he was obliged to race wide until after the winning post on the first occasion at which time he was able to shift in to a three wide position behind BRILLIANT CHARIOT. He said near the 1300 Metres BRILLIANT CHARIOT shifted in which resulted in CHINA DRAGON being left racing in a three wide position without cover. He said although the tempo of the race steadied after the 1200 Metres, he did not feel that CHINA DRAGON was travelling well enough to continue forward in an attempt to obtain a position closer to the rail. He added that he felt that had he have pushed forward on CHINA DRAGON at this stage of the race, he would have to make too much use of the horse and it would then not be able to finish off the race. K C Leung was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in that given the slow sectional of the race between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres, he should have made an attempt to clear BESPOKE MASTER to his inside and race in a position closer to the running rail. K C Leung was further advised to ensure that, wherever possible, he should avoid covering unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of GREAT SHOW after the race did not show any significant findings. VIVA GUY and SPANDAU BALLET were sent for sampling.