17/04/2013  Happy Valley  Race 7

Acting on a report by the Veterinary Officer that ENDOWING was found to have a swollen left eye when being saddled up for the race, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, ENDOWING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WILLIE CAZALS began awkwardly. Making the turn near the 2000 Metres, SUNNY YING raced tight between VICTOR DELIGHT and LUCKY FOREVER which shifted in. Rounding the Home Turn, BEST SHOW became unbalanced when being shifted out across the heels of MR MEDICI. Over the concluding stages, BEAUTY TOUCH got its head on the side and lay in. Also over the concluding stages, LUCKY FOREVER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of VICTOR DELIGHT. When questioned, W C Marwing stated that due to the horse carrying a relatively light weight he had been instructed to take up a forward position on SUNNY YING and if the pace of the race was only fair, he had the option of continuing on into the lead. He said SUNNY YING began only fairly and he had to ride the horse along in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said making the first turn he was left racing wide and therefore he allowed SUNNY YING to continue on into a more forward position to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said that due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, more use had to be made of SUNNY YING than was anticipated. He said rounding the Home Turn on the first occasion he was content to allow SUNNY YING to race outside MIGHTY HIGH, however, when that horse was steadied by its rider, he elected to allow SUNNY YING to improve into the lead and dictate the terms of the race. He added that SUNNY YING travelled comfortably throughout the race, however, came under pressure in the Straight and did not close off as strongly as it had done in recent races. He said based on the manner in which SUNNY YING failed to close off the race, he was of the opinion that the horse may be better suited ridden behind the speed if circumstances permit. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of REAL GENEROUS, T Angland stated that his mount travelled strongly in the middle stages when the tempo of the race was modest. He said when the tempo quickened appreciably rounding the Home Turn, REAL GENEROUS did not show a turn of foot and despite being placed under heavy pressure failed to close off the race. He said he was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s disappointing performance, but did note after the race the horse had lost its right front plate. He added that despite the horse losing a plate, REAL GENEROUS did not feel uncomfortable in its action at any stage during the race. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of REAL GENEROUS, stated that he was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance. He said REAL GENEROUS had given him every indication that it would handle the distance of tonight’s race. He said although REAL GENEROUS lost a plate at some stage during the race, the horse appeared sound after the race and in light of tonight’s performance, it is his intention to give it a freshen up. A veterinary inspection of REAL GENEROUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. REAL GENEROUS, WILLIE CAZALS and VICTOR DELIGHT were sent for sampling.