17/12/2008  Happy Valley  Race 3

K-JACK, which was fractious in its stall, began awkwardly and then bumped with RACING SPIRIT. After this, for some distance, K-JACK and RACING SPIRIT raced tight outside the heels of OCEAN PRINCE which on jumping shifted out. Then despite being ridden along, K-JACK failed to muster speed and as a consequence travelled in a rearward position. INVESTAR began awkwardly. TOUT VA BIEN began awkwardly and then was taken back from a wide barrier. In the Back Straight, TOUT VA BIEN proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Near the 800 Metres, AMNESTY was left racing wide and without cover. Commencing to make the turn at the 600 Metres, EMBRACES was checked severely when awkwardly placed inside the heels of ICE FIRE which momentarily shifted out. No action was taken. Also making the turn at the 600 Metres, OCEAN PRINCE was carried out by MARVELLOUS which was carried wider by REGENCY KINGDOM. Approaching the 500 Metres, ICE FIRE became badly unbalanced and was checked severely when racing tight inside K-JACK which in turn was racing tight inside RACING SPIRIT which improved inside OCEAN PRINCE. In this incident, K-JACK and RACING SPIRIT became unbalanced and were hampered. EMBRACES, which was following, was checked severely and TOUT VA BIEN was hampered. Despite the incident being one of significance, the Stewards were satisfied that OCEAN PRINCE had maintained a four wide position and formed the opinion that ICE FIRE had contributed significantly to this incident of its own accord, therefore no action was taken. However, all riders were told that they should allow sufficient racing room for their fellow riders and avoid overly tight racing. For some distance after the 600 Metres, MARVELLOUS raced tight between AMNESTY and REGENCY KINGDOM (K L Chui) which continued to shift out to obtain clear running to the outside of ASALI VICTORY. Then rounding the Home Turn, MARVELLOUS was steadied away from the heels of AMNESTY when REGENCY KINGDOM shifted out further. K L Chui was severely reprimanded and advised in future to ensure he leaves sufficient racing room for his fellow riders in similar circumstances. Close to the line, INVESTAR was carried in slightly by REGENCY KINGDOM and as a consequence was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPEE GIFT. As a result of this, INVESTAR was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned, C K Tong (HAPPEE GIFT) said he had been instructed to ride his mount in front of midfield with cover if possible. He said it was anticipated INVESTAR and K-JACK which had drawn wide on the track would be ridden to go forward and cross into the lead. He said on jumping he rode HAPPEE GIFT along for a short distance to ensure it travelled in front of midfield. He said when he did this HAPPEE GIFT commenced to race keenly and making the turn at the 1000 Metres hung out. He said after entering the Back Straight HAPPEE GIFT continued to race keenly and runners to his outside did not race into leading positions. He said after the 800 Metres when HAPPEE GIFT was continuing to race keenly, he elected to allow his mount to go forward and cross to the fence in the hope that it would then settle and run the race at a tempo to suit itself which it did. Y T Cheng (ASALI VICTORY) said he had been instructed to go forward in the early stages, cross to the fence, then if the tempo was quick he should allow runners to improve around him and take a sit. He said after entering the Back Straight he was aware HAPPEE GIFT which had been racing to his outside was travelling keenly and therefore when that horse went forward prior to the 800 Metres he allowed it to cross to the fence in front to provide him with cover as instructed. Mr C H Yip, trainer of ASALI VICTORY, confirmed the riding instructions issued and said he believed given the tempo of the race, ASALI VICTORY would have been better suited had it maintained the lead. The Stewards advised Y T Cheng that in their opinion given the tempo of the race, he had erred by failing to maintain the lead after entering the Back Straight. He was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to show better judgement than he did on this occasion. ICE FIRE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ICE FIRE after the race did not show any significant findings. ASALI VICTORY, HAPPEE GIFT and REGENCY KINGDOM were sent for sampling.