16/10/2011  Shatin  Race 1

From the outside barrier, NOBLE TWINS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1800 Metres, SUNNY SKY got its head up and proved difficult to settle when being steadied to allow LUCKY MONEY STAR to cross. Approaching the 600 Metres, GREEN GLORY became unbalanced when bumped by SUNNY SMILES (W M Lai) which shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running to the outside of FULL HOUSE. W M Lai was advised to exercise care when shifting ground in similar circumstances in future. Near the 550 Metres, LEGEND LOVERS got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of FANTASTIC GUY. At the entrance to the Straight, KING GALILEO and NOBLE TWINS made contact on a number of occasions due to KING GALILEO shifting out to obtain clear running. Near the 300 Metres, ROCKET AND GOLD was checked when held up for clear running inside LEGEND LOVERS and behind CHAMPION STAR which was giving ground abruptly. After the 200 Metres, LEGEND LOVERS again got its head up when being shifted in away from the heels of SABINA which was tiring. Throughout the race, FOREST FOUNTAIN travelled wide and without cover. B Doyle reported that after the 1600 Metres SABINA commenced to race fiercely and he felt his saddle commencing to shift forward. He said near the 1400 Metres SABINA continued to pull hard and had to be checked away from the heels of FOREST FOUNTAIN. He said due to the manner in which SABINA was racing and the fact that the saddle was shifting forward on the horse, he allowed SABINA to improve its position and assume the lead rather than continue to attempt to restrain the horse. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUNNY SMILES, W M Lai stated that the horse travelled satisfactorily in the run, however, was most disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding when placed under pressure in the Straight. He said he had been riding SUNNY SMILES in its track work since its last start at which it was successful and, in his opinion, this work was the same as it had been in the lead up to the horse’s last start. Mr C S Shum, the trainer of SUNNY SMILES, concurred with Jockey Lai’s opinion that the track work of the horse had been similar to that in the lead up to its last start success. He said the only reasons that he could arrive at for the performance of the horse were the fact that it was up in weight as a result of its last start win and that it was not able to be positioned on the fence today. He added, in his opinion, the majority of SUNNY SMILES’ best runs when the horse had been under his care had been when it was able to obtain a position on the fence. A veterinary inspection of FOREST FOUNTAIN and SUNNY SMILES after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LUCKY MONEY STAR, D Whyte was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s performance. He said he was not able to lead due to CHAMPION STAR and later SABINA taking up forward roles, however, he did not use this as an excuse for the manner in which the horse failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MONEY STAR after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained a mild abrasion wound to the right stifle area. LUCKY MONEY STAR, SUNNY SKY and GREEN GLORY were sent for sampling. <17/10/2011 Additional Veterinary Report> The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that FULL HOUSE was lame in the left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, FULL HOUSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.