26/06/2013  Happy Valley  Race 1

MEGA began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped BARCELONA TOO. TELECOM TOP STAR was crowded for room at the start between GRACYTOM and HIGHLAND DRAGON which was taken in slightly by HANNIBAL BARCA. After this, despite being vigorously ridden along, TELECOM TOP STAR became detached from the main body of the field in the early stages. Near the 800 Metres, JUST FOLLOW ME lost ground when awkwardly placed between GOOD SMILE and ASMODAI which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly. GRACYTOM was held up in the early part of the Straight and near the 250 Metres shifted to the outside of HANNIBAL BARCA to obtain clear running. This resulted in BARCELONA TOO racing in restricted room between GRACYTOM and KOWLOON EAST KING until near the 200 Metres. Passing the 250 Metres, MEGA was steadied and shifted to the outside of KING OF THE DAY when disappointed for running inside that horse. Approaching the 100 Metres, HANNIBAL BARCA was shifted out away from the heels of ASMODAI which shifted out slightly. Passing the 70 Metres, TELECOM TOP STAR, which was closing off the race strongly, was severely checked when disappointed for running between JUST FOLLOW ME (A Suborics) and ASMODAI (Apprentice C Y Lui) which got its head on the side and shifted in away from GRACYTOM which also shifted in away from CHINA GOOD. In this incident, A Suborics stopped riding his mount and shifted JUST FOLLOW ME in in an attempt to alleviate the tightening to TELECOM TOP STAR. Because of this, JUST FOLLOW ME was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Apprentice Lui was advised that whilst there was some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless in similar situations he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount wherever possible. Throughout the race, HANNIBAL BARCA travelled wide and without cover. H W Lai (CHINA GOOD) was fined a sum of $4,000 for raising his whip arm above shoulder height in the latter part of the Straight. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that H W Lai had been previously penalized on a number of occasions this season in respect of this matter. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JUST FOLLOW ME had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of ASMODAI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD SMILE and CHINA GOOD were sent for sampling.