17/10/2007  Happy Valley  Race 5

MIRACLE FORTUNE began awkwardly and lost a considerable amount of ground. On jumping, SOUTH CHINA ELITE and CLASSA FOR EVER bumped. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, LIFELINE PALS became unbalanced when crowded for room between SHY BALDY which initially got its head on the side, shifted in and made contact with LIFELINE PALS and SOUTH CHINA ELITE which shifted out. At the 500 Metres, DEMINER got its head on the side, shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of COSMO SUCCESSOR. On straightening, COSMO SUCCESSOR was crowded for room between LIFELINE PALS and KINGIFLY (C K Tong) which shifted out when not clear. C K Tong was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to exercise greater care. In the early part of the Straight, FEVER PITCH was shifted wider to obtain clear running. At the 150 Metres, DEMINER, which was commencing to close the race off, was steadied and shifted to the outside of CLASSA FOR EVER to continue going forward. Z Purton (SHY BALDY) said the horse was known to him when it raced in Australia prior to arriving in Hong Kong. He said his knowledge of the horse was that it had been successful when ridden in a forward position and when racing over no further than 1000 Metres. He said at SHY BALDY’s first run in Hong Kong, it was ridden in a forward position, however, that race was run over 1400 Metres and it had failed to run out the distance. He said at its subsequent races SHY BALDY had been ridden in a rearward position and had been disappointing. He said it had therefore been decided tonight to have SHY BALDY again ridden in a forward position when racing over 1000 Metres. He said because of the tempo of the race, he was required to make use of the horse in the early stages to go forward and the horse then travelled wide and without cover throughout. B Prebble (SOUTH CHINA ELITE) explained the horse was racing first up from a lengthy spell tonight. He added SOUTH CHINA ELITE had barrier trialed well at Happy Valley, however, tonight was its first race start at the track. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode along to obtain a forward position, however, was under pressure to do so. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres SOUTH CHINA ELITE was momentarily crowded for room, lost balance and then appeared to lose interest in the race. He said after this SOUTH CHINA ELITE did not regain its balance for the remainder of the race and was disappointing. He said in his opinion SOUTH CHINA ELITE did not appreciate racing at Happy Valley at its first time of asking. SOUTH CHINA ELITE was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, SOUTH CHINA ELITE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said there were no significant findings other than the horse had lost its left front plate. The performance of SOUTH CHINA ELITE was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, SOUTH CHINA ELITE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FLORAL STAR was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, FLORAL STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was displaying an irregular heart beat and was lame in the left front leg. Before being permitted to race again, FLORAL STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOOD TO GO and KINGIFLY were sent for sampling.