11/06/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

Whilst in the holding stables, HOLI RAVIOLI shifted its right hind plate. This plate was reset. The horse was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. YUE LU TREASURE began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped with KINDACROSS which was carried out by ADAIKALI. Shortly after the start, TEAM WORK was crowded for room between BEAR MACHO and LOLLIPOP. After this, despite being ridden along, TEAM WORK failed to muster speed and near the 900 Metres was again steadied away from the heels of LOLLIPOP. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, BEAR MACHO got its head on the side, shifted in and was steadied away from the heels of KINDACROSS. Also making the turn at the 600 Metres, CANNONISE hung out. Prior to straightening, YUE LU TREASURE was crowded for room inside TEAM WORK which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KINDACROSS. Near the 200 Metres, BLUE GENES, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of CANNONISE. At the 100 Metres, LOLLIPOP was carried wider by ADAIKALI which got its head on the side and shifted out. When questioned, M Du Plessis (IRISH JIG) said the intention had been to ride the horse in 4th or 5th position with cover if possible. He said after IRISH JIG was a little slow to begin from its wide gate, he allowed the horse to become balanced and remained racing wide on the course to see if there was an opportunity for him to shift in to a midfield position to obtain cover. He said at the 700 Metres when it became apparent he would be left racing wide he elected to steady his mount and come back in an endeavour to find a position with cover albeit further back than intended. He said IRISH JIG travelled comfortably around the Home Turn, then in the early part of the Straight when he endeavoured to shift his mount to the outside to obtain clear running, it was reluctant to shift out, he therefore allowed IRISH JIG to shift in and rode his mount out to the end of the race. He said IRISH JIG closed the race off nicely. He said the manner in which IRISH JIG raced tonight indicated to him the horse would be better suited over distances of further than the 1000 Metres. M W Leung (YUE LU TREASURE) said he had been instructed to have the horse begin and travel where it was comfortable. He said he was also instructed to make his run towards the inside in the Home Straight. He said YUE LU TREASURE began only fairly and lost ground shortly after the start. He said he then shifted across to race at the rear and remained towards the inside in the Straight as instructed. He said YUE LU TREASURE commenced to make ground and he initially rode the horse out with the whip in the left hand. He said after the 200 Metres when he endeavoured to change the whip into his right hand, it became entangled in the rein and because of this he was not able to continue riding his mount out for a short distance. He said at the 100 Metres BLUE GENES shifted out across his running when barely clear and because of this he had to momentarily steady YUE LU TREASURE. KINDACROSS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of KINDACROSS after the race did not show any significant findings. LOLLIPOP, ISLAND SPEED and CANNONISE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported ADAIKALI had lost its left hind plate.