28/02/2010  Shatin  Race 10

CHAMPION MOUNT began awkwardly. MING HOI TREASURE was slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, LOCAL POWER failed to muster speed. After the 1000 Metres, LEGEND EXPRESS was left racing wide and without cover. Mr TOPAZ was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and then near the 100 Metres was shifted out from inside SPINNAKER when that horse shifted in slightly. When questioned, Z Purton (HAPPY TUMBLER) stated that due to the lack of speed in today’s race, he was instructed to go forward on the horse if he was able to in the early stages. He said he was able to shift across on HAPPY TUMBLER to race outside the leader MY MATE ADRIC in the early stages without having to make too much use of the horse, however, HAPPY TUMBLER raced too keenly in the early and middle stages and consequently was not able to finish off the race. Trainer D J Hall confirmed that he had asked Z Purton to ride HAPPY TUMBLER in a forward position due to the anticipated lack of pace in the race. He also advised that the horse had been successful overseas when being ridden in this fashion. He did say however that, having in mind HAPPY TUMBLER’s performance today, the horse did not appear to have been suited by being ridden in a prominent position. When questioned regarding the performance of MING HOI TREASURE, D Beadman stated that he rode MING HOI TREASURE behind midfield as he had done when the horse had performed well at its first up run this season. He said MING HOI TREASURE travelled well throughout the run and at the entrance to the Straight shifted the horse out to follow the eventual winner, MASTER ELITE through. He added however that MING HOI TREASURE did not respond to his riding and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight. He did say MING HOI TREASURE’s first up run over 1600 Metres may have impacted upon the horse’s performance today. A veterinary inspection of MING HOI TREASURE and HAPPY TUMBLER after the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER ELITE and LEGEND EXPRESS were sent for sampling.