25/09/2013  Happy Valley  Race 5

DRAGON PINS began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, NOVEL START, which was being steadied to obtain a position with cover, was checked when crowded for room inside LORD DRAGON and outside GOOD THINKER which shifted out away from the heels of HOME WITH GLORY. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HOME WITH GLORY was checked when crowded for room between BEAUTY KING which shifted out marginally away from the heels of REALLY THE BEST and LITTLE RAINFOREST which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider, M Chadwick. No further action was taken. For some distance after the 1300 Metres, RISING POWER proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of HOME WITH GLORY. Near the 450 Metres, HOME WITH GLORY shifted out away from the heels of BEAUTY KING which shifted to the outside of LORD DRAGON which was commencing to give ground. GOOD THINKER, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of HOME WITH GLORY in consequence. Rounding the Home Turn, REAL GENERAL was held up for clear running behind LORD DRAGON which was continuing to give ground. Also rounding the Home Turn, BEAUTY KING was checked when crowded for room between HOME WITH GLORY which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly and LORD DRAGON which, when continuing to give ground, shifted out away from REALLY THE BEST after initially being taken out by that horse which shifted to the outside of LITTLE RAINFOREST into clear running. Rounding the Home Turn, DRAGON PINS was checked out away from the heels of GOOD THINKER. When questioned, H W Lai stated that as NOVEL START was stepping up to 1650 Metres, he was asked to ensure that NOVEL START obtained cover. He said he was also asked to ride the horse in about a midfield position if possible. He said he did ask Mr T K Ng, the horse’s trainer, whether it would be acceptable if NOVEL START began well to go forward with a view to handing up and allowing other runners to provide him with cover in the early stages, however, Mr Ng was of the view that if NOVEL START were permitted to go forward in the early stages , it would prove difficult to settle and then would not be able to finish off the race. H W Lai added that after beginning well, he immediately commenced to steady NOVEL START, however, the horse travelled keenly in the early stages and it was not until after passing the winning post on the first occasion that he was able to shift NOVEL START across behind GOOD THINKER and obtained a position with cover on the rail towards the rear of the field. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that he was instructed by Mr C Fownes, the horse’s trainer, to ride LORD DRAGON in a midfield position or just in front of midfield. He said Mr Fownes explained to him that as the winners of the previous races on tonight’s programme had been positioned in forward positions, LORD DRAGON’s best interests would be served if it was able to be ridden with cover in about 5th or 6th position. He said LORD DRAGON began well and without riding his mount along he immediately attempted to find a position with cover in midfield. He said however that NOVEL START, which was better drawn than LORD DRAGON and was racing to his inside in the early stages, was being steadied by its rider to obtain a position with cover and for this reason he was not able to shift in behind that horse in the run to the winning post on the first occasion. He said he attempted to steady LORD DRAGON with a view to obtaining cover, however, the horse, when left racing wide and without cover, proved difficult to settle and because of this he was not able to steady it. He added passing the 1300 Metres LORD DRAGON continued to race wide and without cover and commenced to travel keenly. He said he felt that it would be better for the horse to be allowed to stride forward into a position closer to the rail rather than travelling three wide and racing fiercely. He said because of the circumstances of the race LORD DRAGON raced more forward than had been intended and because of the manner in which the horse travelled, it was beaten prior to the Home Turn and gave ground quickly in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of LORD DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LORD DRAGON, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LORD DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. T H So stated that he had been instructed to lead on BEAUTY KING if possible. He said after beginning only fairly he rode BEAUTY KING along aggressively to obtain a forward position, however, BEAUTY KING raced in restricted room between REAL GENERAL and HOME WITH GLORY which was taken in by GOOD THINKER for some distance in the early stages. He said BEAUTY KING continued to race tight in amongst runners until after passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said although he had been instructed to lead if possible, it was apparent to him after the 1400 Metres that LITTLE RAINFOREST possessed more speed than BEAUTY KING, therefore he allowed that horse to cross BEAUTY KING near the 1300 Metres. He added after momentarily travelling keenly approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, BEAUTY KING then was able to travel more comfortably due to the quick tempo of the race in the middle stages. He said however that BEAUTY KING came under pressure after the 700 Metres to hold its position inside LORD DRAGON and was a beaten horse after the 600 Metres. He said whilst BEAUTY KING was checked rounding the Home Turn, the horse was well beaten at this time. He added, in his opinion, the performance of BEAUTY KING could be attributed to the fact that the horse was not able to lead and had to be ridden along in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY KING immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTY KING, DRAGON PINS and RISING POWER were sent for sampling.