12/12/2007  Happy Valley  Race 4

CHATER DE LAGO was slow to begin. PRIDEOFTHEORIENT began awkwardly, bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. From the outside barrier, KAISER’S CHOIX was taken across behind runners. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, CRYSTAL (Apprentice C W Wong), which was being steadied, shifted across behind runners and became unbalanced when close to the heels of MEATH and SOMETHING SPECIAL. Apprentice Wong was advised to exercise greater care. Approaching the 1200 Metres and again at the 1100 Metres, PRIDEOFTHEORIENT got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ABLE STANDARD. At the 1000 Metres, MIRACULOUS was steadied when crowded for room inside ALWAYS ZIETEN which while hanging in shifted in momentarily. After this, ALWAYS ZIETEN continued to hang in. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, MIRACULOUS was checked severely when crowded for room inside ALWAYS ZIETEN (H W Lai) which while continuing to hang in despite the efforts of its rider shifted in slightly. Although the check to MIRACULOUS was one of significance, in the circumstances H W Lai was reminded of his responsibility to do his utmost to protect his fellow riders. When MIRACULOUS checked, inconvenience was caused to a number of runners, the worst sufferers being ABLE STANDARD and PRIDEOFTHEORIENT which were steadied and CHATER DE LAGO and KAISER’S CHOIX which were checked. On straightening, KAISER’S CHOIX was steadied and shifted to the inside of CHATER DE LAGO. After this, KAISER’S CHOIX had difficulty obtaining clear running until the 100 Metres. Because of this, KAISER’S CHOIX was not properly tested. After the 300 Metres, KING OF FISH was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between ALWAYS ZIETEN and SWEET BABY which got its head on the side and hung in. Over the final 200 Metres, SOMETHING SPECIAL (Apprentice K T Yeung) hung out and proved difficult to ride. Nonetheless Apprentice Yeung was reminded of his responsibility to ride his mounts out right to the end of the race wherever possible. Passing the 200 Metres, CHATER DE LAGO was checked when disappointed for running between MIRACULOUS and ALWAYS ZIETEN, both of which were giving ground. For some distance after this, CHATER DE LAGO continued to have difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not properly tested. Throughout the race, MEATH travelled wide and without cover. SWEET BABY and PRIDEOFTHEORIENT were sent for sampling.