03/02/2016  Happy Valley  Race 7

GLACIER BLUE shifted out at the start, resulting in GOOD CHOICE being crowded for room inside FIVE UP HIGH. From the outside barrier, KA YING KID was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. SALSA BROTHERS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, GRAND HARBOUR proved difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY. Passing the 300 Metres, HEROIC GURU was shifted out away from the heels of ROYAL PARTNER which shifted to the inside of FIVE UP HIGH. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, FIVE UP HIGH and DASHING KING raced tight. Throughout the race, ULTIMATE GLORY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K C Leung stated that he had been given two sets of instructions on how GRAND HARBOUR should be ridden from a wide barrier. He said if GRAND HARBOUR were to begin well, he was asked to obtain a forward position on the horse but not to ride it too aggressively to do so. He said however that if GRAND HARBOUR was not able to show sufficient speed to cross runners to his inside without having to be made use of, then he should obtain cover on the horse. He said GRAND HARBOUR began well and he looked to take up a forward position, however, ULTIMATE GLORY, which had drawn immediately inside GRAND HARBOUR, was also ridden along in the early stages and he felt he would have to make too much use of GRAND HARBOUR to cross runners to his inside. He added he was also mindful of the fact that if he was not able to cross runners to his inside, he may be left racing wide. He said for this reason he steadied GRAND HARBOUR approaching the winning post on the first occasion and obtained a trailing position behind ULTIMATE GLORY. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he had been instructed to obtain a position behind the leaders if possible on LITTLE DRAGON. He said in the early stages he rode his mount along in order to obtain a forward position. He said when it was apparent to him that FIVE UP HIGH was being ridden to obtain a forward position, he elected, shortly after the start, to obtain a trailing position behind that horse as the tempo of the race in the early stages was good. He said after shifting LITTLE DRAGON behind FIVE UP HIGH, he rode his mount aggressively to maintain that position, however, due to the tempo of the race at the relevant time, he was not able to follow FIVE UP HIGH and passing the winning post on the first occasion was left racing in a position three wide outside GLACIER BLUE. He further stated he elected to steady LITTLE DRAGON and obtain a trailing position behind that horse one horse off the rail. He added whilst LITTLE DRAGON raced much further back in the field than had been intended, the tempo of the race in the early stages had been the reason for this occurring. A veterinary inspection of LITTLE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL PARTNER 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, ROYAL PARTNER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HEROIC GURU, DASHING KING and ULTIMATE GLORY were sent for sampling.