25/04/2012  Happy Valley  Race 1

M’S MAGIC and SONOFTHEWEST bumped shortly after the start. A short distance later, AIPODER IMAGE was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between EAST OCEAN and M’S MAGIC which shifted in. From a wide barrier, ICE FIRE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EAST OCEAN jumped a shadow on the track and soon after lost ground. Near the 1300 Metres, FIERY PATROL was checked away from the heels of KOENIGSBERG after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse for some distance. In this incident, FIERY PATROL shifted out and made contact with MEGA CASTLE which as a result became unbalanced. At the entrance to the Straight, M’S MAGIC shifted out and bumped KUNG HEI FAT CHOI. Shortly after entering the Straight, HUA SHI was checked when disappointed for running between M’S MAGIC which shifted in and KOENIGSBERG which shifted out to obtain clear running. As the Stewards were satisfied that HUA SHI had not fully established running between M’S MAGIC and KOENIGSBERG, no further action was taken. For some distance passing the 150 Metres, FIERY PATROL was steadied when held up for clear running behind SONOFTHEWEST and inside HUA SHI. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he had been instructed to lead on YOUNG SUPREME. He said after obtaining the lead on the fence after passing the winning post on the first occasion, YOUNG SUPREME proved very difficult to settle and became unbalanced in its action when he attempted to restrain the horse. He said rather than have the horse continue to over-race, he elected to allow it to stride forward. He said this resulted in YOUNG SUPREME running at a quicker tempo than he had hoped. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that KOENIGSBERG had lost its left front plate. A veterinary inspection of EAST OCEAN after the race did not show any significant findings. KUNG HEI FAT CHOI and MEGA CASTLE were sent for sampling.