11/02/2009  Happy Valley  Race 6

VIKING TOR was withdrawn on 10.2.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter NILOMETER (Y T Cheng). Before being allowed to race again, VIKING TOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When the gates opened, WAIT FOR ME bounded in the air, causing Apprentice K C Leung, its rider, to become unbalanced, resulting in him dropping his whip. On jumping, BABY WAVE became unbalanced and lost ground after being bumped by BUTTERFIELD which shifted out abruptly. Making the first turn, SPEEDY proved difficult to settle. Also making the first turn, SUPREME GOLD was steadied when awkwardly placed between SUPER GOAL MASTER and HAPPY AMBASSADOR. BUTTERFIELD, which was following, was steadied in consequence and BABY WAVE, which was also following, was steadied in consequence and shifted out. When SUPREME GOLD was being steadied, it shifted out and bumped HAPPY AMBASSADOR on the hindquarters, causing that horse to become unbalanced behind. At the 200 Metres, BUTTERFIELD was steadied and shifted to the inside of SUPER GOAL MASTER to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, NILOMETER had difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not fully tested in the run to the line. For the major part of the race, SUPREME GOLD hung in. Throughout the race, WINSOME REFLECTION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, G Mossé (MERIDIAN PRIDE) said prior to the race the intention had been to ride the horse which was stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres for the first time tonight forward from its wide barrier and allow it to travel where it was comfortable. He said during the preliminary MERIDIAN PRIDE became very agitated and would not relax. He said MERIDIAN PRIDE sweated up badly while behind the barriers. He said at that time he decided to ride MERIDIAN PRIDE quietly from the outside barrier as in his opinion the horse had expended energy prior to being loaded and because of this the horse would have difficulty in running out the distance of tonight’s race. He said on jumping he did not ride MERIDIAN PRIDE along and allowed the horse to drift towards the rear in the hope of obtaining a position with cover. He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion when racing wide on the track MERIDIAN PRIDE commenced to over-race badly, would not settle for him and he therefore was not able to take it back to a position with cover. He said MERIDIAN PRIDE continued to prove difficult for him to settle and was not breathing properly in the run. He said after the 800 Metres he allowed MERIDIAN PRIDE to gradually make ground around the field, however, the horse came under pressure making the turn at the 600 Metres and commenced to give ground shortly afterwards. He said in his opinion MERIDIAN PRIDE which had only had one prior race start at Happy Valley is better suited racing at Sha Tin. MERIDIAN PRIDE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, MERIDIAN PRIDE was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse had an epiglottic entrapment. The performance of MERIDIAN PRIDE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being permitted to race again, MERIDIAN PRIDE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY AMBASSADOR, BUTTERFIELD and SUPER GOAL MASTER were sent for sampling.