30/01/2008  Happy Valley  Race 8

AWARD was slow to begin. At the 800 Metres, QUEST FOR LOVE was crowded for room inside DASHING THUNDER which shifted in momentarily. Approaching the turn at the 600 Metres, THREE CLUBS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DASHING THUNDER. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, DASHING THUNDER was carried back through the field by CAGA BOY which was giving ground. At the 400 Metres, NOBLE HEART was steadied and shifted to the outside of KING ACRYLIC. At the 250 Metres, DASHING CHAMPION was momentarily crowded for room inside MY LUCK which shifted in. When MY LUCK was straightened, it then shifted out and bumped DASHING THUNDER. In the Straight, LUCKY MONEY hung in. C Soumillon (BUTTERFIELD) said he had been instructed to ensure he rode his mount in a position with cover and be saved until the Home Straight before making his run. He said in the early stages he shifted across to race in a midfield position outside CAGA BOY which he anticipated would shift to the fence. He said when CAGA BOY did not shift to the fence, he was obliged to travel in a three wide position outside that runner behind BOBO WIN. He said BUTTERFIELD travelled only fairly in the middle stages, then making the turn at the 600 Metres lost ground as BOBO WIN commenced to give ground in front of him. He said in his opinion BUTTERFIELD was not travelling well enough to shift to a four wide position at this time and improve around the outside of the field. He said approaching the 400 Metres he steadied BUTTERFIELD and shifted to the inside of BOBO WIN. He said BUTTERFIELD did make some ground in the Home Straight, however, did not quicken on tonight’s track as he had hoped. Apprentice K L Chui (MY LUCK) said from an inside barrier he was able to obtain the lead on the fence without making too much use of his horse. He said however in the early stages LUCKY MONEY improved to race on his outside and when this occurred MY LUCK did not relax. He said in the past MY LUCK has run its best races when it has relaxed in the run. He said because of the manner in which MY LUCK raced in the early and middle stages, the horse failed to finish the race off on tonight’s track. The performances of CAGA BOY and BOBO WIN, which tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, CAGA BOY and BOBO WIN will both be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, BOBO WIN travelled wide and without cover. MY LUCK was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. CAGA BOY and KING ACRYLIC were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MY LUCK, CAGA BOY and KING ACRYLIC after the race did not show any significant findings. NOBLE HEART and DASHING THUNDER were sent for sampling.