29/11/2009  Shatin  Race 10

On arrival at the Start, BEST POWER, which made contact with a rail on entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. Shortly after the start, WINNING FELLOWSHIP was steadied when crowded for room between GALLANT CHAMPION and GOOD GAINS which shifted out after being bumped by YOUNG HERO. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GOOD GAINS threw its head in the air on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. At the 100 Metres, Apprentice M L Yeung (YOUNG HERO) dropped his whip. Apprentice Yeung was told the number of occasions on which he has dropped his whip during this season has come under notice and he should take steps to prevent this from occurring wherever possible in future. Over the concluding stages, MY GOAL was steadied when racing tight inside WINNING FELLOWSHIP which was taken in slightly by JOHNSON. SAPELLI travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race and hung in in the Straight. When questioned, B Prebble stated that, from barrier 13, he had been instructed to have ROYAL PUMPKIN travelling where it was comfortable and it was felt this would be in a midfield position or possibly behind midfield. He said it was felt that if ROYAL PUMPKIN was ridden along to take up a forward position as it sometimes had been in the past, the horse would not be able to finish off the race. He said ROYAL PUMPKIN travelled well in the early stages and was able to obtain a position behind BEST POWER which was behind midfield. He said however passing the 1000 Metres ROYAL PUMPKIN commenced to prove difficult to settle and was inclined to shift out away from runners on his inside. He said rounding the first turn ROYAL PUMPKIN commenced to travel more kindly and when placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight responded well to his riding. He said however that ROYAL PUMPKIN’s run ended passing the 100 Metres and after this, finished off the race fairly. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MY GOAL, Y T Cheng stated that the horse was able to travel in a forward position as it had done at its most recent start. He said however, after travelling well throughout the race, MY GOAL did not respond to his riding in the Straight as he had anticipated it would and, in his opinion, was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MY GOAL after the race did not show any significant findings. BRAVE SPIRIT and GALLANT CHAMPION were sent for sampling.