26/11/2008  Happy Valley  Race 3

TAKE IT EASY began awkwardly and then throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. On jumping, ASIAN CITRUS was taken back. BELONG TO CASA was slow to begin. LUCKY HONEY, which was fractious in its stall, bounded in the air when the gates opened and lost ground. Approaching the turn at the 600 Metres, LUCKY HONEY, which had been ridden along to make up ground, commenced to over-race and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of JUST RIGHT. For some distance after this, LUCKY HONEY continued to prove difficult to settle. After straightening, LUCKY HONEY commenced to hang in badly, after the 300 Metres shifted in and made contact with the running rail, then continued to hang in badly for the remainder of the race and because of this was not ridden out as it normally would be. At the 200 Metres, JUST RIGHT was struck over the nose by the whip of B Prebble (FOREVER SUPPORT). After the 200 Metres, ASIAN CITRUS, which was closing the race off strongly, was steadied and shifted out to avoid the heels of MIRACLE FORTUNE which was giving ground. Over about the final 150 Metres, MARVELLOUS, which was closing the race off strongly, was not able to obtain clear running and because of this was not tested. At the 100 Metres, MIRACLE FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of MARVELLOUS. When questioned regarding the improved performance of the winner, CLASSA FOR EVER, Trainer L Ho said he was disappointed with the last start performance of the horse when racing over 1200 Metres. He said as CLASSA FOR EVER has established form when racing over 1000 Metres at Happy Valley, he decided to wait for a race over that course and distance to become available for CLASSA FOR EVER's next start and as a consequence the horse did not race for 6 weeks. He said on 4 November 2008 CLASSA FOR EVER performed well in a barrier trial wearing blinkers at Sha Tin, however, did travel a little keenly and therefore it was decided not to fit blinkers to the horse for tonight's race. He said the work of CLASSA FOR EVER has improved since its last start and the horse worked well last Sunday morning, 23 November 2008. LUCKY HONEY was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, LUCKY HONEY was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY HONEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MIRACLE FORTUNE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MIRACLE FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings. CLASSA FOR EVER and MAGIC KING were sent for sampling. <27/11/2008 Additional Veterinary Report > MIRACLE FORTUNE, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. MIRACLE FORTUNE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Y S Tsui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MIRACLE FORTUNE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.