14/01/2009  Happy Valley  Race 2

TAKE IT EASY began awkwardly, lost ground at the start and as a consequence got well back in the early stages. After this, TAKE IT EASY travelled wide and without cover. At the 800 Metres, EPEE DE HUA was steadied away from the heels of DAILY DOUBLE which commenced to over-race and was steadied away from the heels of NAMJONG SKY. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, AURELIAN was steadied away from the heels of DRAGON EYE which was awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of KINGSTON MARBLE. At the 500 Metres, EXQUISITE YIELD became unbalanced after shifting in and bumping with AURELIAN. In the Straight, when giving ground, EXQUISITE YIELD hung in and near the 200 Metres was steadied away from the heels of DAILY DOUBLE. Approaching and passing the 100 Metres, DRAGON EYE raced tight inside SOU MA TAM which was carried in slightly by GANBARIA which got its head on the side and shifted towards the rail. No action was taken. For the major part of the race, GOLD CITY travelled wide and without cover. M W Leung (SPEEDY STAR) explained he had been instructed if possible to obtain a position following DRAGON EYE on the rail which it was thought would have him racing in midfield. He said he had been advised prior to the race that SPEEDY STAR did not always begin well. He said he noticed AURELIAN which had drawn immediately to his inside being ridden along to obtain the position on the rail behind DRAGON EYE and he therefore steadied SPEEDY STAR back to a position on the rail behind AURELIAN and consequently travelled further back than was intended. He said making the turn after the 600 Metres he was awkwardly placed inside the heels of NAMJONG SKY which was not racing in a true one off position and therefore he was not able to ride SPEEDY STAR along to improve his position until after straightening. He said in the Straight SPEEDY STAR closed the race off strongly. DRAGON EYE, GANBARIA and SOU MA TAM were sent for sampling.