27/11/2013  Happy Valley  Race 6

TURIN CHAMPION was crowded for room at the start between GLORY HORSIE (T H So) and HO HO LIFE, both of which shifted ground. In this incident, T H So became badly unbalanced in the saddle. Shortly after the start, GLORY HORSIE shifted in, bumped WINNIE’S HORSE and became unbalanced and then shifted out, resulting in TURIN CHAMPION being hampered. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, WINNIE’S HORSE failed to muster speed. Passing the 1000 Metres, MY NAME IS BOND got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GENUINE CHAMPION. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, COUR VALANT proved very difficult to settle and near the 950 Metres got its head up and hung out towards the heels of PRETTY ONE. GLORY HORSIE, which was following COUR VALANT, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the 800 Metres, GLORY HORSIE commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of COUR VALANT. When GLORY HORSIE shifted out, TURIN CHAMPION, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After this, GLORY HORSIE travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, MY NAME IS BOND commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of TURIN CHAMPION for some distance. After the 300 Metres, TURIN CHAMPION shifted out away from the heels of GLORY HORSIE after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. In the Straight, MY NAME IS BOND got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that, from barrier 11, he had been asked to position BRAVE BROTHER in about midfield with cover if possible. He said after being loaded BRAVE BROTHER was restless in the stalls and as the start was effected began awkwardly. He said he rode BRAVE BROTHER along in the early stages to see if the horse would show early speed and make up lost ground in order to obtain a midfield position as instructed. He said however it soon became apparent to him that BRAVE BROTHER would not have sufficient speed to be in about midfield unless the horse was vigorously ridden along. He said he was reluctant to do this as he believed that, having in mind the manner in which BRAVE BROTHER began, the horse may be left very wide making the first turn. He said for this reason he elected to shift BRAVE BROTHER across behind runners and obtain a position on the rail. He added after BRAVE BROTHER became unbalanced making the Home Turn, the horse then commenced to make up ground and after the 200 Metres had to be shifted out away from the heels of GOOD DIRECTIONS and WINNIE’S HORSE to obtain clear running. He said after momentarily becoming awkward on the heels of GLORY HORSIE near the 150 Metres, he was able to shift BRAVE BROTHER to the inside of that horse and BRAVE BROTHER then closed off the race strongly. WINNIE’S HORSE, HAWTHORNE and MY NAME IS BOND were sent for sampling.