25/04/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

At declaration time, H W Lai was declared as the rider of both CHARMGOLD and DIAMOND ANGEL. It was established that H W Lai had been inadvertently declared as the rider of DIAMOND ANGEL when in fact K C Leung had been engaged to ride that horse. For this declaration error, Trainer K L Man was fined $2,000. When being saddled, BARCELONA TOO became fractious, reared and struck its head. On arrival at the Start, BARCELONA TOO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Also on arrival at the Start, OCEAN WIDE had its right front plate refitted. OCEAN WIDE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. BET ON ME began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between CHARMGOLD which shifted out after also beginning awkwardly and DIAMOND ANGEL which at this time was taken in by OCEAN WIDE which shifted in. In this incident, DIAMOND ANGEL was steadied when crowded for room between BET ON ME and OCEAN WIDE. Because of this, BET ON ME raced back in the field. PURE FORCE and LONGWAH RISING bumped at the start, resulting in PURE FORCE being taken in onto BARCELONA TOO which was crowded for room between that horse and MEGA POSH. Shortly after the start, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE, which was being steadied with a view to shifting across behind runners, was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of OCEAN WIDE. Making the first turn after the 1000 Metres, LONGWAH RISING proved very difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of OCEAN WIDE for some distance. Passing the 900 Metres, BET ON ME proved very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of PURE FORCE for some distance. Also passing the 900 Metres, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE, which was travelling strongly, was checked when crowded for room inside BARCELONA TOO (T H So) which shifted in. T H So was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he was reprimanded and told that he must be sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 700 Metres, CHARMGOLD was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, OCEAN WIDE shifted in and bumped MEGA POSH when proving difficult to settle and getting its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HIGH RETURN. LONGWAH RISING, which was following OCEAN WIDE, was steadied in consequence. Near the 450 Metres, LONGWAH RISING and DIAMOND ANGEL bumped. Passing the 400 Metres, INTELLECTUALSTRIDE was steadied when attempting a tight run between BARCELONA TOO and PURE FORCE. A veterinary inspection of BET ON ME after the race did not show any significant findings. SUNSHINE KID, BEAR EXPRESS and HIGH RETURN were sent for sampling.