19/09/2007  Happy Valley  Race 5

TOP TOP LIGHT was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, JOYFUL YEARS was taken across behind runners. Shortly after the start, THE WORLD OF LOVE was steadied and taken across behind runners. Also shortly after the start, AMO lost ground when inconvenienced inside ENCORE WIN. Near the 800 Metres, ENCORE WIN was steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of FLAG FINDER which at this time shifted out momentarily. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, SUPER HONEY and ENCORE WIN were crowded for room inside OWNERS LAD which shifted in momentarily. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, AMO was checked when crowded for room inside THE WORLD OF LOVE (O Doleuze) which got its head on the side and shifted in momentarily. As O Doleuze straightened his mount as soon as could be expected, no action was taken. At the 150 Metres, ENCORE WIN was carried wider by TOP TOP LIGHT which shifted out into clear running. Near the 100 Metres, THE WORLD OF LOVE was inconvenienced and carried in by GENERAL DANSKE which shifted ground. Close to the line, SUPER HONEY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FLAG FINDER which drifted in. Because of this, SUPER HONEY was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Throughout the race, GENERAL DANSKE travelled wide and without cover. C K Tong (OWNERS LAD) explained he had been instructed if his horse showed sufficient early speed, he should endeavour to ride it in a forward position. He said OWNERS LAD began satisfactorily and he rode along to go forward as instructed. He said in the middle stages his mount was travelling three wide and without cover and because of this at the 700 Metres he again rode along in an endeavour to go forward and shift across to race outside the leader. He said however OWNERS LAD did not show sufficient speed to clear runners on its inside and therefore continued to race three wide without cover. He said in the early part of the Straight OWNERS LAD kept on fairly, however, gave ground over the final 200 Metres. He did say at about the 250 Metres when he used his whip on OWNERS LAD, the whip broke. Trainer C S Shum confirmed he had instructed C K Tong to ride OWNERS LAD in a forward position, preferably in front of midfield with cover. He said he accepted that OWNERS LAD travelled further forward than intended, however, this was because of the circumstances of the race. He said in future the riding instructions for OWNERS LAD will be consistent with those issued tonight, however, in races that lack pace the horse may travel further forward. Apprentice C W Wong (INDUSTRIAL MARVEL) was unable to offer an explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said INDUSTRIAL MARVEL travelled satisfactorily throughout the race, however, was disappointing with the manner in which it gave ground over the concluding stages. He said considering the horse's previous form, it may be best suited on tracks which have more give in it than that of tonight's. Mr C H Yip, trainer of INDUSTRIAL MARVEL, was also unable to offer any explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said the horse was well fancied by the stable on the strength of its work leading into tonight's race. He said INDUSTRIAL MARVEL was crowded for room between OWNERS LAD and THE WORLD OF LOVE after the 200 Metres, however, this was of little significance as the horse was well beaten at this time. INDUSTRIAL MARVEL was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of INDUSTRIAL MARVEL after the race did not show any significant findings. GENERAL DANSKE, TOP TOP LIGHT and FLAG FINDER were sent for sampling.