30/05/2012  Happy Valley  Race 6

LEVEL PLAYER was crowded for room at the start between NORDIC STAR and MOCHI, both of which shifted ground. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, WITHINMYHEART was steadied away from the heels of ZACHARY (H W Lai) which shifted in when not properly clear. H W Lai was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Approaching the 1000 Metres, BO BO EXPRESS got its head up and raced ungenerously. Near the 900 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS proved very difficult to settle and shifted in when being checked away from the heels of NORDIC STAR, resulting in BO BO EXPRESS being crowded for room. Near the 500 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS was steadied away from the heels of NORDIC STAR when unable to improve to the outside of that horse and inside ENTHUSING. In this incident, PERFECT CHEERS shifted in and bumped BO BO EXPRESS which became unbalanced. In the early part of the Straight, BO BO EXPRESS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of NORDIC STAR which shifted in. Throughout the race, FLYING IN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, T H So (MOCHI) stated that he had been instructed to ride MOCHI quietly as the horse had performed best in the past when ridden in this manner. He added that he was asked to ride MOCHI for luck and obtain inside runs if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he shifted MOCHI across behind runners in the early stages and obtained a position towards the rear. He said when travelling along the Back Straight, he was following PERFECT CHEERS with BO BO EXPRESS and LEVEL PLAYER being positioned to his inside. He said although he had been instructed to obtain inside runs if possible, he felt that it was a better option to continue to follow PERFECT CHEERS and then shifted out from behind ENTHUSING at the entrance to the Straight rather than shift MOCHI in. He added when shifted to the outside immediately on straightening, MOCHI then finished off the race well. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ZACHARY, H W Lai stated that he was able to obtain the lead without having to make use of the horse. He said ZACHARY travelled well with the eventual winner, HORSE APLENTY, to his outside. He said however that when ZACHARY and HORSE APLENTY commenced to quicken the tempo making the Home Turn, HORSE APLENTY was able to quicken well whilst ZACHARY immediately came under pressure. He added despite being ridden along in the Straight, ZACHARY was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. A veterinary inspection of ZACHARY after the race did not show any significant findings. WITHINMYHEART, HORSE APLENTY and FLYING IN were sent for sampling.