17/12/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

After arriving at the Start, it was noted MY HOME TOWN had its tongue over the bit. This was rectified prior to the horse being loaded. NOBLE MAN began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped ADAIKALI. Shortly after the start, EASY, LOLLIPOP and RICE FIELD were crowded for room between CANNONISE and MY HOME TOWN, both of which shifted ground. After the 800 Metres, RICE FIELD was steadied away from the heels of MY HOME TOWN. At the 700 Metres, LOLLIPOP was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of MY HOME TOWN. Throughout the race, ISLAND SPEED travelled wide and without cover and making the turn after the 600 Metres hung out. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, NORMAN INVADER hung out and making the Home Turn hung out badly. Before being allowed to race again, NORMAN INVADER will have to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. Prior to straightening, TIGER PRAWN was steadied away from the heels of ISLAND SPEED. In the Straight, ISLAND SPEED (C K Tong) hung in and at the 100 Metres C K Tong had the whip knocked from his hand by the whip of K L Chui (MY HOME TOWN). K T Yeung (CANNONISE) explained he was instructed to ride his mount in a forward position, however, it was felt ADAIKALI would show superior speed and be able to cross to the lead. He said it was felt considerable use would be required to be made of CANNONISE to maintain the lead and if this was done it was questionable as whether the horse would be able to finish the race off. He said because of this it was decided to take the box sit position on CANNONISE. When questioned, Mr D J Hall, trainer of SUPERIOR UNIT, explained he instructed C W Wong to ride the horse in a position behind midfield and preferably following HIGH POINT if possible. He said he believed because of the composition of tonight’s race SUPERIOR UNIT, which was dropping back in distance to 1200 Metres tonight and had a significant increase in the weight it was carrying together with the outside barrier, would be obliged to race wide and without cover if ridden to go forward. He said he did not believe SUPERIOR UNIT would be competitive if this happened in tonight’s race. He acknowledged SUPERIOR UNIT had been disappointing when previously ridden in a rearward position. He did point out those occasions were the horse’s initial race starts in Hong Kong and SUPERIOR UNIT had shown itself to have matured into a much more improved racehorse since that time. He said he was surprised to see SUPERIOR UNIT in the rear of the field and failing to muster speed despite being vigorously ridden in the run to the first turn. He added the manner in which SUPERIOR UNIT closed the race off tonight also disappointed him. He said after considering the performance of SUPERIOR UNIT tonight, he had now formed the opinion that the horse generally lacks interest in its races when ridden in this manner. He said because of this he will now revert to having SUPERIOR UNIT ridden more prominently in its races. K L Chui said he had been instructed to ride his mount around midfield or slightly further forward if possible. He said MY HOME TOWN began well, he endeavoured in the early stages to go forward with the intention of crossing runners to his inside and obtaining cover in midfield. He said when a number of runners drawn to his inside held their positions in the early stages he elected to continue going forward in an endeavour to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said as a consequence MY HOME TOWN travelled further forward than was anticipated. D Whyte (HIGH POINT) explained his mount travelled behind midfield and whilst it was wide on the track it did have cover. He said prior to straightening he placed HIGH POINT under pressure, the horse responded only fairly, then on straightening was carried wider by TIGER PRAWN. He said once HIGH POINT was balanced he placed his mount under pressure, however, it kept on only fairly over the concluding stages. HIGH POINT, SUPERIOR UNIT and EASY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HIGH POINT, SUPERIOR UNIT and EASY after the race did not show any significant findings. LOLLIPOP, ADAIKALI and CANNONISE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TIGER PRAWN had lost its left front plate.