19/12/2007  Happy Valley  Race 1

TYCOON TAYLOR began awkwardly and was bumped by GAUCHO. LUCKY TYCOON was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, TOUT VA BIEN was steadied when crowded for room between GOOD TOUCH and HAPPY SUNDAY which shifted in. Shortly after this, GOOD TOUCH was steadied away from the heels of HAPPY SUNDAY. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, PERFECT TREASURE failed to muster speed. After the 800 Metres, GOOD TOUCH, which was racing ungenerously, got its head up when being steadied while awkwardly placed between TOUT VA BIEN and EXPLODING. At the 700 Metres, TYCOON TAYLOR was steadied away from the heels of EXPLODING. After the 700 Metres, LUCKY TYCOON became unbalanced when crowded for room between PERFECT TREASURE and GOOD TOUCH which while continuing to race ungenerously shifted out. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, TYCOON TAYLOR lay in, brushed the running rail and lost ground. KEEN TAKER made the Home Turn awkwardly. Prior to straightening, PERFECT TREASURE was steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY TYCOON which shifted out. Approaching the 200 Metres, PRESENT TREASURE was steadied and shifted to the outside of the heels of HAPPY SUNDAY into clear running. Over the concluding stages, TOUT VA BIEN hung in. Throughout the race, WILD ACE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight hung out. When questioned, P H Lo (KINGSTON MARBLE) said from a wide barrier with a number of speed horses drawn to his inside he was instructed to have the horse travel comfortably in the early stages, then endeavour to shift across to obtain a position with cover if possible. He said KINGSTON MARBLE began well, he did not ride along in the early stages in accordance with his instructions, however, the field remained compact and he was not able to clear runners on his inside, therefore he allowed KINGSTON MARBLE to come back to a rearward position. He said in the Straight KINGSTON MARBLE failed to finish the race off. Mr T K Ng, trainer of KINGSTON MARBLE, confirmed the riding instructions to P H Lo. He said he was concerned if use was made of KINGSTON MARBLE from its wide barrier in the early stages, the horse would not show enough speed to lead. He said he therefore asked P H Lo to allow the horse to use its natural speed in the early stages before shifting across behind runners on his inside. He said he anticipated this would have the horse racing in front of midfield. KINGSTON MARBLE and HAPPY SUNDAY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of KINGSTON MARBLE and HAPPY SUNDAY after the race did not show any significant findings. TOUT VA BIEN, GOOD TOUCH and EXPLODING were sent for sampling.