11/02/2009  Happy Valley  Race 5

For a considerable distance after passing the winning post on the first occasion, SEA PRINCE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUPER FANTASY. After the 1300 Metres, NEEDLES AND THREAD, which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AMAZING FORTUNE, got its head up when being steadied. Approaching the 600 Metres, SUPER FANTASY was steadied away from the heels of SOU MA TAM (C Soumillon) which shifted in slightly. C Soumillon was told to exercise care. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, DASH was hampered and carried wider by RAIN OF THUNDER which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of NEEDLES AND THREAD. Also making the turn at the 600 Metres, FORTUNE WARRIOR was steadied when awkwardly placed between NEEDLES AND THREAD and HANNAH KING PRAWN which shifted out slightly. No action was taken. Near the 500 Metres, SEA PRINCE became unbalanced while racing tight inside AMAZING FORTUNE. After this, SEA PRINCE was steadied. Also near the 500 Metres, RAIN OF THUNDER was carried wider by FORTUNE WARRIOR which was hampered and carried wider by HANNAH KING PRAWN (K L Chui) which shifted out. K L Chui was told to exercise greater care when shifting ground. C Soumillon (SOU MA TAM) explained there was some doubt that SOU MA TAM would have trouble running out the 1650 Metres of tonight’s race at its first time of asking. He said he was asked to ensure he led on SOU MA TAM and if possible to give the horse an easy run in front. He said that as there were other front running horses in the race, he was required to make some use of SOU MA TAM in the early stages to ensure his mount led. He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion he continued to race one horse away from the rail as he believed SOU MA TAM would relax for him and it was less likely that other runners would improve around his outside to challenge for the lead. He said by doing this he hoped SOU MA TAM would be able to dictate the race at a tempo to suit itself. He said he remained racing away from the rail until the 600 Metres. He said on straightening SOU MA TAM kept on initially, then over the concluding stages gave ground. When questioned regarding the poor performance of RAIN OF THUNDER, D Whyte said his mount did not relax when racing in a rearward position due to the steady tempo of the race. He said after the 700 Metres his mount was carried into a three wide position by FORTUNE WARRIOR which shifted away from the rail. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres he was carried to a four wide position without cover, he then commenced to ride his mount along and it responded to his riding for a short distance only. He said in the Straight RAIN OF THUNDER failed to close the race off. RAIN OF THUNDER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of RAIN OF THUNDER after the race did not show any significant findings. HANNAH KING PRAWN and AMAZING FORTUNE were sent for sampling.