31/01/2010  Shatin  Race 3

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CLASSIC REUNION and LOCAL POWER failed to muster speed and consequently settled back in the field. From a gate towards the outside, TELECOM GOGO was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early part of the Straight, NORDIC STAR was held up for clear running and then for some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres was held up on the heels of FLORAL NIRVANA which was giving ground. After this, NORDIC STAR was ridden along for a short distance, however, near the 100 Metres was checked away from the heels of JUN DAO which shifted out when giving ground. Because of this, NORDIC STAR was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Also in the early part of the Straight, MING HOI TREASURE hung in and then near the 100 Metres was shifted in to avoid the heels of JUN DAO which was weakening. As a consequence, both MASCOT FORTUNE and TELECOM GOGO, which were racing to the inside of MING HOI TREASURE, were briefly crowded for room. Throughout the race, FLORAL NIRVANA travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of GLORY OF INDIA, D Whyte stated that he was not under any firm instructions other than to have the horse racing where it was comfortable. He said from the outside barrier GLORY OF INDIA began satisfactorily, however, he noticed a number of runners to his inside being ridden along to obtain forward positions. He said in the early stages he remained racing wide with a view to taking up a midfield position if possible, however, when he observed FLORAL NIRVANA being ridden along and likely to travel wide throughout the race in a midfield position, he elected to shift GLORY OF INDIA across behind runners near the 1400 Metres. He said approaching the 1000 Metres he was obliged to niggle at GLORY OF INDIA to have it tack onto the rear of the field. He said he continued to race in last place in the middle stages and prior to the Home Turn he rode his mount along to obtain a position on the back of HAPPY MASTER and between LOCAL POWER and NORDIC STAR. He said he did this as, in his opinion, LOCAL POWER was being ridden along after racing wide for most of the race, therefore he felt it was in GLORY OF INDIA’s best interests to obtain a run to the inside of LOCAL POWER with a view to shifting that horse out after entering the Straight when it commenced to give ground as he anticipated. He added however that HAPPY MASTER did not improve as he thought it would and LOCAL POWER continued to stay on, therefore shortly after entering the Straight he looked to obtain a run to the inside of HAPPY MASTER. He said passing the 350 Metres HAPPY MASTER shifted in and as GREAT BAUHINIA, which had been racing to the inside of HAPPY MASTER, was not giving ground, he was not able to continue into this run. He said therefore he elected to attempt a run between HAPPY MASTER and LOCAL POWER. He added GLORY OF INDIA raced tight between those horses for some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres and it was not until near the 100 Metres that GLORY OF INDIA was finally able to obtain clear running. D Whyte was told the Stewards would report his explanation, however, he was advised that wherever possible he should afford his mounts uninterrupted running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JUN DAO, B Prebble stated that from barrier 3 the horse was able to obtain a good position in the run behind the speed. He said whilst JUN DAO travelled a little strongly, he was happy with the manner in which it travelled during the race. He said he shifted JUN DAO out from behind MASCOT FORTUNE passing the 600 Metres, JUN DAO travelled into the race nicely in the early part of the Straight, however, near the 350 Metres commenced to come under pressure and then was very disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground in the Straight. He added he could offer no excuse for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of JUN DAO after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of JUN DAO under the circumstances was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JUN DAO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JUN DAO, AMAZING JOURNEY and ISTIDE were sent for sampling.