28/03/2010  Shatin  Race 9

As the start was effected, SUPREME WIN lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. WINE WIN shifted in at the start, resulting in CHEERFUL DELIGHTS being crowded for room outside WATCH WHAT HAPPENS. LUCKY RED began awkwardly. Near the 300 Metres, LUCKY RED got its head on the side and shifted in. BLAZE KING and KILDARE were not able to obtain clear running until the concluding stages. TAVERNER got its head on the side and lay out in the Straight. When questioned, D Beadman stated that when previously ridden in a forward position over the straight 1000 Metres at Sha Tin, HOLEY DOLLAR had raced keenly and consequently had not been able to finish off its race. He said accordingly today whilst not given any firm instructions, he had hoped to be able to ride HOLEY DOLLAR with cover in the hope that the horse would be able to finish off the race. He said in the early stages he took hold of HOLEY DOLLAR to obtain a position with cover behind LOVE LOCKDOWN and SHINING VICTORY. He said in the run HOLEY DOLLAR travelled well and whilst he had some difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200 Metres, HOLEY DOLLAR was able to finish off the race when ridden with cover today. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EL MORRO, Apprentice T H So stated that he had been instructed to attempt to find cover on the horse today. He said from barrier 6, EL MORRO began extremely well and he felt he would have had to overly restrain the horse in an attempt to obtain cover behind WINE WIN. He said as EL MORRO was racing keenly, he did not believe it was in the best interests of the horse to restrain it at this time and for this reason he allowed EL MORRO to race to the inside of WINE WIN. He said EL MORRO continued to race keenly until the 600 Metres, however, EL MORRO then came under pressure to maintain its position passing the 400 Metres and over the concluding stages gave ground. He added although he dropped his whip near the 300 Metres, this was of no significance as EL MORRO was already commencing to give ground. He said, in his opinion, the fact that EL MORRO had raced keenly when not able to obtain cover in the early stages was the principal reason for the horse’s disappointing performance today. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TAVERNER, D Whyte stated that, in his opinion, the horse is no longer suited by the 1000 Metres of today’s race. He said the pace in the early stages was too quick for TAVERNER and he recommended to the connections that they step the horse up in distance. A veterinary inspection of EL MORRO and TAVERNER after the race did not show any significant findings. TAVERNER, SHINING VICTORY and SUPREME WIN were sent for sampling.