07/10/2007  Shatin  Race 5

SUPER SURPRISE and TRAVEL LEADER began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, FANTASTIC WIN was taken across behind runners. Shortly after the start, PACIFIC ALLIANCE shifted out and bumped CHAMPION PIONEER. Near the 150 Metres, SPRING SMILES was hampered by CHINSOLA which shifted out slightly. No action was taken. Near the 50 Metres, F Coetzee (SUPER SURPRISE) dropped his whip. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHAMPION PIONEER, S Dye said he had been instructed from a wide draw to ride the horse back in the field but to ensure that it was racing comfortably. He said in the early stages he was racing to the outside of PACIFIC ALLIANCE and he was reluctant to take hold of CHAMPION PIONEER to come back behind that horse as in his opinion CHAMPION PIONEER would have got too far out of its ground. He said for these reasons CHAMPION PIONEER was left racing three wide without cover in the early and middle stages, however, he commenced to ride his mount from the 600 Metres and the horse did not respond to his riding. Trainer A Lee said CHAMPION PIONEER had done well since its last start win and the manner in which the race was run had contributed to the disappointing performance of CHAMPION PIONEER. CHAMPION PIONEER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. After the race, CHAMPION PIONEER was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. EVER KING and RED WINE HONEY were sent for sampling.