17/12/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

FOREVER FRIENDSHIP began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped AMO which in turn shifted ground and bumped TOP TOP LIGHT. On jumping, WINSOME REFLECTION bumped with ENCORE WIN. In the Back Straight, TOP TOP LIGHT proved difficult to settle. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, TOP TOP LIGHT was checked to avoid the heels of WINSOME REFLECTION which shifted out after striking the heels of ENCORE WIN and blundering. K L Chui (WINSOME REFLECTION) reported that after this incident his mount did not stride out as he thought it should and felt unbalanced in its action. Before being allowed to race again, WINSOME REFLECTION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY AMBASSADOR became unbalanced making the turn at the 600 Metres, shifted in and bumped the running rail. On straightening, FOREVER FRIENDSHIP was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of ENCORE WIN. At the 250 Metres, VICTORY CONQUEROR had some difficulty obtaining clear running between HAR HAR CHARMS and RELY ON ME, then close to the finish was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SUPER SNIPPETS while continuing to race tight inside RELY ON ME and because of this was could not be ridden out fully to the end of the race as it normally would be. HAR HAR CHARMS, TOP TOP LIGHT and WINSOME REFLECTION were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HAR HAR CHARMS, TOP TOP LIGHT and WINSOME REFLECTION after the race did not show any significant findings. MAGIC SWEEP and SUPER SNIPPETS were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ENCORE WIN had bled from both nostrils.