09/05/2012  Happy Valley  Race 1

JOLLY WONGCHOY and METRO RIDER bumped at the start. KOENIGSBERG began awkwardly. EVER KING was slow to begin. For some distance approaching and passing the 1300 Metres, YOUNG SUPREME proved difficult to settle. In the early and middle stages, METRO RIDER got its head up, proved very difficult to settle and shifted ground on a number of occasions. Near the 250 Metres, METRO RIDER was crowded for room between MISTER HORSE and GOOD LOOKING WATCH which shifted out. EVER KING, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of METRO RIDER in consequence. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LUCKY ARMY, Y T Cheng stated that consistent with the manner in which the horse was ridden from a wide barrier last start, from barrier 11 tonight, he shifted LUCKY ARMY across behind runners in the early stages to obtain a position at the rear. He said LUCKY ARMY travelled satisfactorily throughout the race and passing the 600 Metres he commenced to shift LUCKY ARMY to the outside of EVER KING. He said when that horse itself shifted out near the 500 Metres, he steadied LUCKY ARMY and directed his mount to the inside of the heels of that horse and was able to obtain clear and uninterrupted running from this point onwards. He said however that LUCKY ARMY did not show the same turn of foot that it did at its most recent start when successful and, despite being ridden along, was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of LUCKY ARMY, stated that the horse had done well since its last start success and a forward showing was again anticipated tonight. He said that he was not able to offer any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance other than he noted that it was up in weight which may have had a bearing on its performance. He added that in the immediate future he will give consideration to utilizing a more significant claim than that which Jockey Cheng was able to utilize tonight. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING FORTUNE and LUCKY ARMY after the race did not show any significant findings. KINGSTON ELITE and GOOD LOOKING WATCH were sent for sampling.