01/05/2010  Shatin  Race 9

LONDON CHINA TOWN and CHINA GOOD bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, CHINA WIN was crowded for room between GLENEALY STAR and MOCHA COFFEE which shifted in slightly. Also shortly after the start, PERFECT SPRINT bumped the hindquarters of COUNTRY MAGIC which began awkwardly when crowded for room inside FAST INTENTIONS which itself shifted in after being tightened for room inside SUPERIOR UNIT. At the 1000 Metres, PERFECT SPRINT and FAST INTENTIONS were bumped and taken wider by CHINA GOOD which at this tine was taken out slightly by LONDON CHINA TOWN. After this, CHINA GOOD got its head up when being steadied in order to obtain a position behind LONDON CHINA TOWN. After the 1000 Metres, SUPERIOR UNIT got its head up and proved difficult to settle when being steadied. Passing the 200 Metres, CHINA WIN was taken out by CHINA GOOD (M W Leung) which shifted out to improve. BEJEWELED, which was racing to the outside of CHINA WIN, was steadied when disappointed for running between that horse which shifted out and COUNTRY MAGIC. After this, BEJEWELED had difficulty obtaining clear running. M W Leung was reprimanded. Over the concluding stages, CHINA WIN raced in restricted room between NEW KING PRAWN and PERFECT GEAR which shifted out. Because of this, CHINA WIN was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Near the 150 Metres, MOCHA COFFEE, which was closing off the race, was steadied away from the heels of SUPERIOR UNIT and shifted out to continue improving. Approaching the 100 Metres, NEW KING PRAWN, which was shifting in, was checked away from the heels of LONDON CHINA TOWN which itself shifted out slightly. Near the 50 Metres, CHINA GOOD was steadied away from the heels of CHINA WIN due to both horses shifting some ground. For the majority of the race, KING ON EARTH travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, C W Wong stated that he had been instructed to lead on GLENEALY STAR, however, if another runner was intent on going forward, he should race in 2nd or 3rd position. He said that he had to make some use of GLENEALY STAR in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and once obtaining a position to the outside of PERFECT GEAR passing the 900 Metres, he elected to steady his mount. He said as he was aware that PERFECT GEAR was being ridden by a 10 lb apprentice jockey, he elected to restrain GLENEALY STAR to sit off PERFECT GEAR, however, GLENEALY STAR proved difficult to settle and despite his efforts he was not able to get the horse to come back underneath him. He said because of this the tempo of the race between the 800 Metres and the 400 Metres was faster than he would have wished. C W Wong was advised his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made more of an effort to steady his mount to ensure that it would be able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of KING ON EARTH after the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT SPRINT and LONDON CHINA TOWN were sent for sampling.