10/12/2008  Happy Valley  Race 1

DRAGON BOY began awkwardly and then was taken across behind runners. GALLANT MASTER was slow to begin. FRAMES DEPOT began awkwardly, then despite being ridden along took time to muster speed and in the early stages hung in, racing tight outside BAUHINIA. Shortly after the start, CENTENNIAL SMILE from a wide barrier was taken across behind runners. Despite being ridden along in the early stags, after beginning awkwardly, BAUHINIA failed to muster speed. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, BAUHINIA was steadied when awkwardly placed between FRAMES DEPOT and DECAGONAL which shifted out after being steadied away from the heels of SIMPLY THE BEST. For some distance after the 1100 Metres, WATCHMAN was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY was checked to avoid the heels of CENTENNIAL SMILE which when endeavouring to shift to the outside of CALL ME CULLEN was hampered and carried wider by that horse which when over-racing shifted out away from the heels of WATCHMAN. No action was taken. At the 500 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY was bumped and carried wider by DECAGONAL which shifted out. Making the Home Turn, DECAGONAL and SIMPLY THE BEST were bumped and carried wider by GALLANT MASTER (C Soumillon) which shifted to the outside of ARISTOCRACY into clear running. C Soumillon was told to exercise care. On straightening, GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY, which was hanging in, was steadied away from the heels of FRAMES DEPOT which commenced to give ground. After this, GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY was shifted wider. From on straightening until the 200 Metres, WATCHMAN was held up and unable to improve and at the 250 Metres was steadied away from the heels of CENTENNIAL SMILE which at this time was experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GALLANT MASTER. CENTENNIAL SMILE then did not obtain clear running until after the 200 Metres. At the 250 Metres, SIMPLY THE BEST was checked when crowded for room between DECAGONAL and GALLANT MASTER which shifted out abruptly after initially being carried wider by ARISTOCRACY (O Doleuze). O Doleuze was advised to exercise greater care. ENERGETIC BOY and CALL ME CULLEN, which were following, were hampered in consequence. Near the 200 Metres, DRAGON BOY, which was commencing to close the race off strongly, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of FRAMES DEPOT which was giving ground. When questioned regarding the poor performance of FRAMES DEPOT, C K Tong said the intention had been to ride the horse in the box seat. He said FRAMES DEPOT was leaning back in its stall when the start was effected and as a consequence began awkwardly and lost ground. He said after this he rode FRAMES DEPOT along to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said approaching the 1200 Metres it became apparent to him that he could not obtain the box seat position, he therefore allowed his mount to go forward and cross to the lead in the hope that something might improve around its outside. He said when he did this FRAMES DEPOT commenced to over-race and proved difficult for him to settle and because of this he was not able to steady his mount to obtain a position with cover. He said at no stage of the race after reaching the lead did FRAMES DEPOT relax and in his opinion this accounted for the poor performance of the horse. FRAMES DEPOT was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FRAMES DEPOT after the race did not show any significant findings. CENTENNIAL SMILE, GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY and GALLANT MASTER were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CALL ME CULLEN had sustained an abrasion to the right front pastern.