23/11/2016  Happy Valley  Race 3

FUN MANAGER shifted in at the start and bumped RUGBY DIAMOND. FUN MANAGER, which was being steadied to obtain cover, was then crowded for room a short distance after the start between INVISIBLE which shifted in away from ST YAZIN and RUGBY DIAMOND which shifted out after being bumped by NATURAL TEAM. SUNNY ORIENT began awkwardly and shortly after the start was bumped by ARM RUNDA which shifted out. From wide barriers, INVISIBLE and SKY TREASURE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1000 Metres, INVISIBLE was steadied away from the heels of DASHING DART. When DASHING DART was ridden along after the 800 Metres, INVISIBLE was shifted out from behind that horse, however, was unable to improve between DASHING DART and SKY TREASURE. GRACYDAD travelled wide and without cover until after the 600 Metres. DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS (Apprentice K K Chiong) had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 100 Metres and near the 75 Metres was directed to the outside of ARM RUNDA to obtain a run. When DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS shifted out, SUNNY ORIENT was shifted out away from the heels of that horse. Apprentice Chiong was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Over the concluding stages, BUDDY BUNDY was steadied when crowded for room inside GRACYDAD (J Moreira) which shifted in. J Moreira was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care than he did on this occasion. Close to the finishing line, INVISIBLE and DASHING DART raced tight. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he had been instructed to lead on NATURAL TEAM if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode his mount hard for some distance in the early stages and on entering the Back Straight had hoped to be able to cross BUDDY BUNDY to his inside. He said however that that horse, after the 900 Metres, continued to maintain its position and he had two glances to his inside to ascertain whether the rider of that horse would steady to allow NATURAL TEAM to cross. He said when it became apparent that BUDDY BUNDY would remain racing to his inside, he had two further looks to his inside to see whether it was possible to obtain a position behind BUDDY BUNDY as the tempo of the race was, in his opinion, good at this time. He added when he established that it was not possible for him to steady sufficiently to obtain a position behind BUDDY BUNDY, he then remained racing to the outside of that horse. H W Lai was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was warned against the practice of looking around unnecessarily in races. A veterinary inspection of NATURAL TEAM and RUGBY DIAMOND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GRACYDAD, ST YAZIN and ARM RUNDA were sent for sampling.