12/12/2007  Happy Valley  Race 7

NOBLE SILENCE was slow to begin. MELLIFLUOUS was slow to begin, then lost further ground when being checked to avoid the heels of ALL OUR WAY which on jumping shifted out. Shortly after the start, FINGERS CROSSED was crowded for room between ALL OUR WAY and KINGSTON WINNER. Near the 1300 Metres, ALL OUR WAY and I’M NO SQUARE were crowded for room inside THE WITCH’S BROOM which shifted in momentarily. At the 250 Metres, MELLIFLUOUS was shifted out when disappointed for running inside ALL OUR WAY. After the 200 Metres, BRILLIANT ONE was steadied and shifted in when disappointed for running between FINGERS CROSSED and HAPPY CRUSADER which was giving ground. Near the 100 Metres, ALL OUR WAY attempted to savage SIAMERIC TE SPECSO. As Mr A Schutz, trainer of ALL OUR WAY, had left the course, the Stewards will interview him regarding this matter at the Sha Tin racemeeting next Saturday 15 December 2007. Just prior to the winning post, INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS was steadied when awkwardly placed between MELLIFLUOUS and SIAMERIC TE SPECSO which was initially carried wider by ALL OUR WAY and then shifted further of its own accord. Because of this, INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Throughout the race, HAPPY CRUSADER travelled wide and without cover. D Whyte (FINGERS CROSSED) was unable to offer an explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said the horse travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages, however, after the 700 Metres was reluctant to stride out when he endeavoured to improve his position. He said in the Straight FINGERS CROSSED kept on one-paced and then over the concluding stages gave ground. FINGERS CROSSED was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FINGERS CROSSED after the race did not show any significant findings. MELLIFLUOUS, THE WITCH’S BROOM and ALL OUR WAY were sent for sampling.