14/05/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

At declaration time, C K Tong was declared as the rider of both MY FAITH and DRAGON STRIDE. It was established that C K Tong had a firm commitment to ride MY FAITH. As such, the Stewards permitted H W Lai to be substituted as the rider of DRAGON STRIDE. Mr T K Ng, trainer of DRAGON STRIDE, was fined $2,000 for this error. GALLANT FALCON, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 13.5.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, GALLANT FALCON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On jumping, CHAMPION LAD, which was standing with its head turned to the left, was slow to begin. Also on jumping, UNIQUE SPEED and VINTAGE GOLD bumped. After this, from a wide barrier, VINTAGE GOLD was taken back. AMAZING CHOICE bounded in the air at the start, shifted in and bumped COSMO SUCCESSOR. In the early stages, from a wide barrier, CHINA SPORTFIELD was taken back. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, DECAGONAL failed to muster speed. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CHAMPION LAD was bumped by SUDDEN SPLENDOR which got its head on the side and shifted in away from MY FAITH. After the 800 Metres, UNIQUE SPEED was left racing wide and without cover when MY FAITH which in the early stages had travelled wide and without cover was allowed to stride forward to join the lead. As a consequence, in the Straight UNIQUE SPEED gave ground. Approaching the Home Turn, VINTAGE GOLD was held up and unable to improve, then at the 250 Metres was steadied away from the heels of COSMO SUCCESSOR which was carried out by CHAMPION LAD which shifted ground. No action was taken. At the 250 Metres, DECAGONAL was shifted wider on the track to obtain clear running. After the 200 Metres, CHAMPION LAD shifted out away from THUNDER VALLEY which got its head on the side and shifted out. Also after the 200 Metres, SABRE AND GOLD hung out. When questioned, Mr T K Ng, trainer of DRAGON STRIDE, explained the intention had been to have the horse from the outside barrier travel where it was comfortable, however, it would not be in the horse’s best interest to be ridden along and travel in a wide position without cover. He said in his opinion DRAGON STRIDE has lost some of its natural early speed and because of this if it was to obtain a forward position from the outside barrier draw too much use would have had to be made of it in the early stages and as a consequence it would fail to finish the race off. H W Lai explained having in mind those instructions he on jumping steadied his mount and shifted it across behind runners to race in a position with the rear. Mr Ng said he was satisfied with the riding of H W Lai albeit the horse travelled a little further back than he had anticipated. He said if DRAGON STRIDE draws more favourably, it is possible that the horse would obtain a more forward position than tonight, but the horse from wide draws will not be made use of to obtain a forward position. Mr Ng was told his explanation would be reported. UNIQUE SPEED and CHINA SPORTFIELD were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of UNIQUE SPEED after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, CHINA SPORTFIELD was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, CHINA SPORTFIELD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SABRE AND GOLD and CHAMPION LAD were sent for sampling.