28/09/2016  Happy Valley  Race 8

Apprentice K K Chiong (TRAVEL FIRST) was fined the sum of $2,000 for presenting herself to weigh out in the incorrect colours. After beginning awkwardly, SPEEDY LONGWAH shifted in and bumped SICHUAN DAR which was crowded onto the hindquarters of ISHVARA which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION and PHOTON WILLIE were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 1550 Metres, SICHUAN DAR was steadied away from the heels of ISHVARA which was taken out by TRAVEL FIRST. After being hard ridden in the early stages to take up a forward position, SEEDY LONGWAH was steadied away from the heels of SUPER LIFELINE approaching the winning post on the first occasion. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, DIVINE BOY got its head up when being steadied to take up a trailing position behind BASIC TRILOGY. After being left racing wide and without cover, BASIC TRILOGY and MAGICAL BEAUTY were allowed to improve into leading positions approaching the 1000 Metres to race closer to the rail. In the early part of the Straight, MAJESTIC ANTHEM was inclined to lay in and proved difficult to ride. Near the 150 Metres, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION, which was closing off the race strongly, was hampered when crowded for room between DIVINE BOY which shifted in slightly under pressure and MAGICAL BEAUTY which, when tiring, shifted out away from TRAVEL FIRST (Apprentice K K Chiong). A short distance later, MAGICAL BEAUTY, which was unbalanced after having made contact with AMBITIOUS CHAMPION, was checked away from the heels of TRAVEL FIRST which shifted out. Apprentice Chiong was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst there was some circumstances involved in this incident, she should have made more of an effort to keep her mount on a straight course. Apprentice H N Wong reported that he was instructed to ride ISHVARA in a forward position, however, after being bumped heavily on the hindquarters by SICHUAN DAR on jumping, the horse became badly unbalanced and then was not able to show the necessary speed to race in a forward position as was intended. He said after settling in a midfield position behind SPEEDY LONGWAH, ISHVARA was shuffled back in the middle stages and was forced back to a position near to the rear of the field. When questioned, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that after being crossed by BASIC TRILOGY at the 1000 Metres, TRAVEL FIRST commenced to travel a little keenly, therefore she elected to shift to the outside of BASIC TRILOGY where TRAVEL FIRST settled well and travelled comfortably throughout the middle stages. When questioned, Z Purton stated that MAGICAL BEAUTY was caught very wide in the early stages which obliged him to press forward after the 1200 Metres to find a position closer to the rail. He said after shifting in and assuming a position one horse away from the rail near the 1000 Metres, MAGICAL BEAUTY was immediately forced back out into a three wide position without cover when TRAVEL FIRST shifted out around the leader BASIC TRILOGY. He added that along the Back Straight he was unable to shift in and find cover which resulted in MAGICAL BEAUTY racing three wide and without cover throughout the middle stages. He said as a consequence MAGICAL BEAUTY came under heavy pressure in the early part of the Straight and, despite suffering interference near the 150 Metres, the horse was well beaten at that stage. He said he did not test MAGICAL BEAUTY over the concluding stages given the horse had dropped out of contention. A veterinary inspection of MAGICAL BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY LONGWAH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SICHUAN DAR and DYNAMISM were sent for sampling.