26/04/2009  Shatin  Race 9

SPECIAL K was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (capped right front elbow). Before being allowed to race again, SPECIAL K will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NOBLE SILENCE and EIGHT PLUS NINE were slow to begin. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, WIN-A-LOT was checked when crowded for room inside CAGA BOY which was carried in by WHIPLASH which in turn was carried in slightly by RAISING SUN which shifted in when barely clear. EIGHT PLUS NINE, which was following, was steadied in consequence. No action was taken. Prior to straightening, APPRECIATION was steadied when awkwardly placed between EIGHT PLUS NINE and SUPER GENERAL. On straightening, GO DAN GO was steadied away from the heels of BULLISH WIN. In the early part of the Straight, APPRECIATION had some difficulty obtaining clear running. After the 400 Metres, BULLISH WIN was steadied away from the heels of NOBLE DE BEST which shifted out abruptly after being bumped by SUNRISE which shifted out into clear running. GO DAN GO and NOBLE SILENCE were shifted wider on the track in consequence. No action was taken. Also after the 400 Metres, SUPER GENERAL, which was having some difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied away from the heels of SUNRISE. D Whyte (APPRECIATION) explained it had been decided to ride the horse quietly in the early stages. He said APPRECIATION had not relaxed in its races when being ridden forward and as a consequence since stepping up to Class 3 had disappointed in the manner in which it finished its races off. He said it was felt regardless of the barrier draw APPRECIATION would be better suited if ridden quietly in an endeavour to have the horse relaxed so it would close the race off. He did say as APPRECIATION matures in its racing manners, the horse may be ridden more prominently. Apprentice K C Leung (WHIPLASH) said he was instructed to ride his mount in the first four if possible. He said he was required to make considerable use of WHIPLASH in the early stages in an endeavour to carry out his riding instructions and as a consequence the horse tired over the concluding stages. SUNRISE and EIGHT PLUS NINE were sent for sampling.