17/10/2010  Shatin  Race 10

ROCKET POWER was slow to begin. CHINA DRAGON was badly crowded for room at the start between SUPREME FAY FAY which shifted out slightly and CHAMPION MOUNT which at this time was taken in by MASTER KEY which got its head on the side and shifted in. In this incident, CHINA DRAGON made heavy contact with the hindquarters of SUPREME FAY FAY, resulting in that horse also becoming badly unbalanced. Approaching the 1000 Metres, LEGEND EXPRESS raced tight inside AFFLUENCE OF RAIN. Near the 300 Metres, PIZZAZZ was checked hen crowded for room between AFFLUENCE OF RAIN (W C Marwing) which shifted out to obtain clear running and LEGEND EXPRESS (H W Lai) which shifted in under pressure. As the Stewards were of the opinion that both shifts had an influence over this incident, W C Marwing was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances whilst H W Lai was reprimanded and advised that when his mount commenced to shift ground, he should have stopped riding and straightened it rather than continue to ride that horse out. Throughout the race, GRAND DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C K Tong stated that passing the 700 Metres CHEETAH BOY while laying out was taken out by LEGEND EXPRESS which at this time shifted out away from the fence. He said he turned CHEETAH BOY’s head in in an attempt to maintain his position and therefore prevent LEGEND EXPRESS from shifting out. He said however that after having made some use of CHEETAH BOY in the early stages to clear other runners and with the horse laying out, LEGEND EXPRESS was able to shift CHEETAH BOY out at this time. When questioned regarding the performance of PIZZAZZ, Z Purton stated that from barrier 14 he allowed his mount to stride forward along the Back Straight and whilst he was not obliged to ride the horse along to obtain a forward position, PIZZAZZ was required to do some work to clear runners to its inside. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was faster than he had hoped and for this reason after obtaining a position to the outside of MANDARIN, he attempted to steady PIZZAZZ. He said PIZZAZZ came under pressure after the 600 Metres and then was disappointing in the manner in which it finished off the race. He said although PIZZAZZ struck interference near the 300 Metres, this did not have a great bearing on the horse’s finishing position. He added although PIZZAZZ has had two trials in the lead up to today’s race, he felt that the horse would still take benefit from the run. He did say that PIZZAZZ has previously been a clean-winded horse, however, in today’s race made a mild respiratory noise which he reported to Trainer P O’Sullivan. A veterinary inspection of PIZZAZZ after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MANDARIN after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SUPREME FAY FAY at the request of the trainer. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SUPREME FAY FAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AFFLUENCE OF RAIN, ADMIRATION and LEGEND EXPRESS were sent for sampling.