01/06/2016  Happy Valley  Race 4

YOURTHEWONFORME, which was fractious in the barriers, began only fairly. REAL GENEROUS was slow to begin. APACHE SPIRIT shifted out at the start and inconvenienced BALTIC WARRIOR. TRIUMPHANT DRAGON began awkwardly. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EXCELLENCE raced tight inside IMPERIAL GALLANTRY which got its head on the side and lay in. Then near the 1300 Metres, EXCELLENCE was crowded for room inside IMPERIAL GALLANTRY which was taken in by TRIUMPHANT DRAGON which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to IMPERIAL GALLANTRY. Near the 1050 Metres, IMPERIAL GALLANTRY got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of YOURTHEWONFORME. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT raced tight between WIN IT and SPARKLING SWORD which lay in despite the efforts of its rider. Approaching the 300 Metres, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT was momentarily steadied away from the heels of YOURTHEWONFORME which shifted out from behind MASSIVE POWER to obtain clear running. TRIUMPHANT DRAGON, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of TRIUMPHANT LIGHT in consequence. Over the concluding stages, WIN IT raced tight inside BALTIC WARRIOR and consequently was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was instructed to obtain the lead if possible on SPARKLING SWORD and accordingly he rode his mount along aggressively in the early stages. He said KITAYA and MASSIVE POWER were also ridden along to obtain forward positions and because of this he was left racing in a three wide position passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said although the tempo after the 1200 Metres was not fast, he believed that SPARKLING SWORD was not travelling well enough for him to press forward in an attempt to clear MASSIVE POWER or KITAYA to race closer to the rail. He said SPARKLING SWORD travelled only fairly in the middle stages and when being ridden along to maintain its position after the 600 Metres got its head on the side and lay in. He added after this SPARKLING SWORD did not finish off the race and, in his opinion, raced “flat”. After the race, K C Leung stated that after being able to obtain a forward position as instructed, MASSIVE POWER travelled satisfactorily until near the 600 Metres at which time the horse came under heavy pressure. He said, despite riding his mount out aggressively, he was unable to prevent APACHE SPIRIT from shifting out to his inside and then in the Straight MASSIVE POWER was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened. A veterinary inspection of MASSIVE POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of IMPERIAL GALLANTRY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EXCELLENCE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, EXCELLENCE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TRIUMPHANT LIGHT immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. KITAYA and APACHE SPIRIT were sent for sampling.