28/05/2008  Happy Valley  Race 4

PACIFIC ALLIANCE was slow to begin. CITY SURFER bounded in the air at the start. STRIKE TO WIN began awkwardly and made contact with FLYING PROFILE which was slow to begin. Near the 1500 Metres, DENDRANTHEMA LOVE became unbalanced and was hampered after being bumped by MEGA BULLET (C K Tong) which at this time shifted in to improve inside the heels of GEM MASTER. C K Tong was severely reprimanded and told he would be expected to show greater respect to his fellow riders. For some distance after the 1500 Metres, PACIFIC ALLIANCE raced tight inside CHALLENGER which itself raced tight inside STRIKE TO WIN. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, STRIKE TO WIN was steadied when crowded for room between CHALLENGER and SERIOUS PLAY which shifted in slightly. GEM MASTER, which was following, was checked to avoid the heels of STRIKE TO WIN. At the 900 Metres, DANZIGMOUNTAIN became unbalanced when shifting out to improve around the field. Also at the 900 Metres, FLYING PROFILE was momentarily steadied away from the heels of MEGA BULLET which shifted out. Shortly after straightening, MEGA BULLET was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of DANZIGMOUNTAIN. Over the concluding stages, PACIFIC ALLIANCE was awkwardly placed between BATURO which drifted out and SERIOUS PLAY which shifted in slightly. Because of this, PACIFIC ALLIANCE was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned regarding the poor performance of GEM MASTER which was racing for the first time over 1800 Metres tonight, M Nunes explained the intention was to ride the horse more quietly than is usual in an endeavour to ensure it ran out the distance. He said after travelling behind midfield GEM MASTER kept on only fairly in the Straight and in his opinion did not run out the distance of tonight’s race at its first time of asking. He added in his opinion GEM MASTER may be suited by a surface which is firmer than that of tonight’s track. STRIKE TO WIN and GEM MASTER were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of STRIKE TO WIN and GEM MASTER after the race did not show any significant findings. PACIFIC ALLIANCE, BATURO and CHALLENGER were sent for sampling.