29/05/2013  Happy Valley  Race 4

VICTORY MASCOT began awkwardly and lost ground. From wide barriers, YUAN’S FORTUNE and SECRETARY OF STATE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. At the 600 Metres, DANZULU was steadied away from the heels of SUPER BRAND which shifted out. Just prior to the 300 Metres, DANZULU was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SUPER BRAND which shifted out. For a short distance approaching and passing the 150 Metres, DANZULU was held up for clear running when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER BRAND. Near the 100 Metres, HANDSOME BATCHELOR became unbalanced when bumped by RIGHT TIMING which, when improving between that horse and PERFECT MOMENT (C W Wong), was taken out by PERFECT MOMENT which got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. In this incident, RIGHT TIMING was hampered. C W Wong was advised to exercise more care in future. VICTORY MASCOT had difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 100 Metres. When questioned, M Chadwick (HANDSOME BATCHELOR) stated that it had been anticipated that SUPER BRAND and PERFECT MOMENT would lead and he was asked to obtain a position with cover behind those horses if possible. He said when PERFECT MOMENT opted for cover behind SUPER BRAND, HANDSOME BATCHELOR was then left racing in the lead outside SUPER BRAND. He said passing the 1300 Metres HANDSOME BATCHELOR commenced to travel keenly and he was not able to shift it in behind SUPER BRAND which at this stage had established somewhat of a margin over PERFECT MOMENT. He said when HANDSOME BATCHELOR continued to travel keenly, he allowed his mount to stride forward into the lead passing the 1000 Metres in the hope that this would help it to settle better. He said after obtaining the lead after the 900 Metres HANDSOME BATCHELOR relaxed and travelled more kindly. He added as Mr D J Hall, the trainer of HANDSOME BATCHELOR, had advised him that the horse is one-paced, he commenced to ride it along after the 400 Metres, however, it came under pressure passing the 200 Metres and then weakened over the concluding stages. SURE CHAMP and RIGHT TIMING were sent for sampling.