19/03/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

WONG'S SUCCESS was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, SOHNA was bumped by SILVER WRAITH which shifted out after being bumped by CLASSA WIN. After bumping SILVER WRAITH, CLASSA WIN then shifted in and bumped with GALLANT FALCON. As a consequence, CLASSA WIN lost ground. Also shortly after the start, STRIKING MASCOT lost ground when bumped by HAPPY HEROES which was carried out on jumping by LE ROSSIGNOL. In the early stages, LE ROSSIGNOL hung out and approaching the winning post on the first occasion was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GALLANT FALCON. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, STRIKING MASCOT was checked when awkwardly placed between SIXTY SECONDS which got its head on the side and shifted in away from KING OF SHAVER and LE ROSSIGNOL which shifted out. No action was taken. After the 700 Metres, WONG'S SUCCESS was carried wider by STRIKING MASCOT which shifted out to improve its position. On straightening, FULL BLESSINGS was steadied away from the heels of SOHNA. Shortly after straightening, SIXTY SECONDS was checked when crowded for room between GALLANT FALCON (Apprentice K T Yeung) which initially shifted out and KING OF SHAVER which got its head on the side and shifted in away from WONG'S SUCCESS. Apprentice Yeung was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. G Mosse (SIXTY SECONDS) was told whilst the Stewards acknowledged his mount was interfered with shortly after straightening, he nonetheless would be expected to ride his mounts out to the end of the race more vigorously than he did on this occasion in similar circumstances. In the run to the winning post, GALLANT FALCON raced tight between SILVER WRAITH and KING OF SHAVER which had its head on the side and drifted in. Because of this, GALLANT FALCON was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. For the major part of the race, KING OF SHAVER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai (KING OF SHAVER) explained after the 600 Metres STRIKING MASCOT improved quickly on his outside. He said it was his intention to endeavour to follow that horse forward, however, he was crowded for room between STRIKING MASCOT which shifted in slightly and SOHNA which shifted out slightly at this time, as a result he steadied his mount. He said it was then his intention to commence riding along to follow STRIKING MASCOT forward, however, he was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SOHNA which shifted out to improve its position. He said as a consequence of this he was not able to ride his mount along until the 400 Metres when SOHNA had cleared him sufficiently. When KING OF SHAVER steadied after the 600 Metres, CLASSA WIN was steadied in consequence. LE ROSSIGNOL, FRIENDSHIP and SIXTY SECONDS were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LE ROSSIGNOL, FRIENDSHIP and SIXTY SECONDS after the race did not show any significant findings. STRIKING MASCOT and SOHNA were sent for sampling.