29/02/2012  Happy Valley  Race 6

From a wide barrier, WINNING EDGE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 200 Metres, FLYING SUPREME was steadied when crowded for room between FLYING CHAPARRAL and THE UNTOUCHABLELAD which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WINNING EDGE. Near the 100 Metres, FLYING CHAPARRAL was steadied away from the heels of WITHINMYHEART which, after shifting to the outside of the heels of JIMSON THE BEST, was taken out slightly by that horse. When questioned, K C Leung (MY HOME TOWN) stated that it was anticipated that tonight’s race would be run at a faster tempo than the horse’s most recent start when it was successful. He said on that occasion MY HOME TOWN was able to take up a forward position. He said because of the anticipated quick tempo of tonight’s race, he was instructed not to push MY HOME TOWN along, however, if the horse was able to take up a forward position without having to be ridden along to do so, this was acceptable. He said in the early stages a number of runners drawn to his outside, namely WITHINMYHEART and FLYING CHAPARRAL were ridden along to obtain forward positions and as he had been instructed not to make use of MY HOME TOWN in the early stages, he allowed WITHINMYHEART to cross which afforded MY HOME TOWN a position in about midfield. He added in the early part of the Straight MY HOME TOWN was badly held up for clear running and near the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of FLYING CHAPARRAL in an endeavour to obtain clear running between that horse and WITHINMYHEART. He said however that near the 150 Metres MY HOME TOWN was disappointed for running between these horses and therefore he shifted MY HOME TOWN in further to obtain a run. He said after briefly obtaining clear running about the 100 Metres MY HOME TOWN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JIMSON THE BEST over the concluding stages and because of this he was not able to ride his mount out to the end of the race. When questioned, Z Purton (FLYING IN) stated that at the entrance to the Straight he elected to endeavour to obtain a run to the inside of MY HOME TOWN. He said however that at that time he received a call from the rider of REGENCY WINNER and for this reason he looked to his inside. He said when he established that REGENCY WINNER was improving between FLYING IN and SLEEP WELL, he then directed FLYING IN out so as not to cause interference to REGENCY WINNER. He added that after this FLYING IN was unable to obtain clear running until after the 150 Metres. A veterinary inspection of FLYING SUPREME after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FLYING CHAPARRAL after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained a minor cut to the inside of the right hind cannon. ELEGANCE KLAMMER, WINNING EDGE and JIMSON THE BEST were sent for sampling.