26/11/2008  Happy Valley  Race 4

LOHAN was slow to begin. BEST NOODLE began awkwardly, then throughout the race from the outside barrier travelled wide and without cover. SOARING DRAGON began awkwardly. On jumping, EVERGREEN blundered, then despite being ridden along was slow to muster speed. Rounding the Home Turn, SOARING DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of BEST NOODLE which was giving ground, then near the 200 Metres was again steadied when crowded for room between BEST NOODLE which continued to give ground and LOHAN (K L Chui) which shifted out when not properly clear. K L Chui was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. At the 250 Metres, SUPER SURPRISE was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of OLYMPICSHIP to continue going forward, then near the 200 Metres was again steadied when having difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 150 Metres, CLOVIS was steadied when awkwardly placed between BATURO and MEGA BULLET which shifted in slightly. When giving ground over the final 100 Metres, BULB TREASURE got its head on the side and shifted in, causing DR WELL to be momentarily crowded for room. When questioned regarding the poor performance of DR WELL, Y T Cheng said he rode his mount along in the early stages from a wide barrier to cross and race in the lead as instructed which was the same as when the horse was successful at its most recent start. He said after obtaining the lead he was able to steady the tempo to suit DR WELL, however, OLYMPICSHIP raced to his outside. He said near the 500 Metres when he attempted to quicken, DR WELL did not respond to his riding in the same manner as it did at its last start. He said as a consequence DR WELL was not able to establish a break on the field and he felt this impacted on the performance of the horse. He said the fact that DR WELL was not able to quicken might have been due to the increase in the weight it carried tonight. DR WELL and SOARING DRAGON were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of DR WELL and SOARING DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. MEGA BULLET, SUPER SURPRISE and BATURO were sent for sampling.