08/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 2

BRILLIANT FLASH was slow to begin. PERFECT MATCH was slow to muster speed, then at the 1600 Metres was steadied away from the heels of CLASSIC KING. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, HAPPY ALL AROUND failed to muster speed and shortly after the start was steadied while awkwardly placed between EVERGREEN and CLASSIC KING. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, SWEET BABY, which had been racing wide and without cover, was ridden along to go forward and cross to race outside the lead. Making the turn near the 1200 Metres, BRILLIANT FLASH was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUPER SURPRISE which shifted in momentarily. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, SAMBUOYANT got its head up when being steadied while awkwardly placed inside the heels of PERFECT MATCH. At the 800 Metres, PERFECT MATCH was shifted to a three wide position without cover and ridden along in an endeavour to improve its position around the field. At the 500 Metres, PERFECT MATCH was carried wider by CLASSIC KING. On straightening, HAPPY ALL AROUND was steadied and shifted to the inside of SWEET BABY which commenced to give ground. After the 50 Metres, SUPER SURPRISE was struck on the nose by the whip of D Whyte (PERFECT MATCH). After this, SUPER SURPRISE was held up and unable to obtain clear running and therefore was not ridden out right to the end of the race. When questioned, Mr C W Chang, trainer of the winner, DR WELL, explained tonight he had instructed Y T Cheng, the horse’s rider, to obtain a soft lead if possible and commence to ride his mount along from the 600 Metres. He said at the horse’s most recent start when ridden by H W Lai, the instructions were to take a sit behind the lead if possible. He said on that occasion he anticipated the pace of the race would be good and it would be in DR WELL’s best interest if it were able to follow the speed. He confirmed that at the horse’s most recent start H W Lai was also instructed to commence making his run from the 600 Metres. Mr Chang said the owner had expressed some dissatisfaction with the horse being taken away from the rail to make its run in the Home Straight and because of this H W Lai was not offered the ride on DR WELL in tonight’s race. H W Lai confirmed the riding instructions issued to him when he rode DR WELL on 24 September 2008 and said on that occasion the pace of the race was only moderate and DR WELL would have been able to lead, however, he elected to endeavour to follow his riding instructions and steady DR WELL in the early stages of the race to obtain a trailing position. He said he commenced to ride his mount along at the 600 Metres and rounding the Home Turn shifted to a three wide position to ensure his mount obtained clear running in the Home Straight and was not held up behind tiring runners. The Stewards noted the explanations of both Mr Chang and H W Lai regarding his riding of DR WELL at its most recent start. PERFECT MATCH was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT MATCH after the race did not show any significant findings. EVERGREEN, DR WELL and BRILLIANT FLASH were sent for sampling.