03/12/2008  Happy Valley  Race 4

After being boxed, ESPACE D'OR became fractious, reared and dislodged E Saint-Martin. E Saint-Martin was not injured. AMAZING ME began awkwardly, got its head up, shifted out and bumped SPICY FRUITY. SUNNY SMILES bounded in the air at the start and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. After the 1200 Metres, TOUCH MORE was steadied away from the heels of ESPACE D'OR. After the 1100 Metres, ELECTRONIC MASTER, which was travelling wide and without cover, was ridden to go forward and cross to race outside the lead. At the 700 Metres, TOUCH MORE was steadied away from the heels of CHATER DE LAGO. Mr C H Yip, trainer of SPICY FRUITY, explained he instructed C W Wong, the horse's rider, to go forward in the early stages to offset its wide barrier in what was anticipated to be a slowly run race. He said the intention with SPICY FRUITY was to either lead or if the pace was stronger than anticipated to take a sit behind the lead. When questioned, Mr C S Shum, trainer of TOUCH MORE, explained at the horse's most recent start in what was anticipated to be a slowly run race, he had instructed the rider to ride TOUCH MORE in the lead. He said TOUCH MORE had been disappointing in its races prior to that when ridden quietly. He said on that occasion TOUCH MORE gave ground quickly in the Home Straight and again disappointed him. He said tonight TOUCH MORE was having its first start at Happy Valley and stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres for the first time. He said in a conversation with the owner prior to the race it was agreed that TOUCH MORE should be ridden quietly again in the hope that it would be able to close the race off. He said it was acknowledged the pace of tonight's race was again anticipated to be slow. He said TOUCH MORE is an immature type which he hopes will develop further with racing. He said the manner in which TOUCH MORE will be ridden in its upcoming races will depend on its barrier draw and the composition of the field. Mr Shum was advised the contrast in the riding of TOUCH MORE tonight with its most recent start had come under notice. He was told whilst TOUCH MORE is a young horse, there is still an expectation that it will be ridden in a consistent manner whenever possible. When questioned regarding his riding passing the 500 Metres, K T Yeung (DASHING CHAMPION) said he allowed his mount to remain racing in a one off position behind ELECTRONIC MASTER rather than shifting out to improve around that horse as when he had ridden DASHING CHAMPION at its most recent start, he believed he covered unnecessary ground. He said for this reason he allowed NORDIC STAR to improve around him making the Home Turn and then shifted out to follow that horse at the entrance to the Straight. He said following the race he felt that he had erred in not shifting out from behind ELECTRONIC MASTER as this would have allowed DASHING CHAMPION to commence improving its position prior to straightening in what had been a slowly run race. K T Yeung was advised his ride was not one of his better ones and he should at all stages be aware of his position in the race and avail himself of runs which are available. MEATH was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MEATH after the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY SMILES, NORDIC STAR and CHATER DE LAGO were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported REAL REJOICING had lost its right hind plate.