14/11/2010  Shatin  Race 3

CHEERFUL DOUBLE was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, SUPER BOBO, from the outside barrier, was taken across behind runners. Passing the 1400 Metres, ZEZAO was steadied when racing tight inside TOM’S EIGHTH which itself was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CARE FREE LUCK. Passing the 1000 Metres, ZEZAO got its head up and proved difficult to settle when being checked away from the heels of TOM’S EIGHTH. HANDSOME BATCHELOR, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, REAL SUPREME was held up for clear running. At the 200 Metres, CHEERFUL DOUBLE was shifted to the inside of BAITIWU when disappointed for running between that horse and REAL SUPREME. When shifted in, CHEERFUL DOUBLE became unbalanced. Passing the 200 Metres, REAL SUPREME shifted out to obtain clear running and in doing so bumped LUCKY EMPEROR which shifted out, resulting in DREAMS MAKER and BEAUTIFUL CHOICE making contact. Inside the final 100 Metres, BAITIWU was steadied away from the heels of SURE FORWARD which shifted in slightly. Over the concluding stages, SUPER BOBO shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, LUCKY EMPEROR travelled wide and without cover. The performance of CARE FREE LUCK, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CARE FREE LUCK will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed, from barrier 13 today, to ride his mount quietly. He said it was explained to him that over the course and distance from a wide barrier at its most recent start, the horse was disappointing when it failed to finish off the race. He said accordingly he shifted BEAUTIFUL CHOICE across behind runners shortly after the start. He said passing the 700 Metres BEAUTIFUL CHOICE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of the favourite, TOM’S EIGHTH. He said in the Straight when TOM’S EIGHTH was not going as well as he expected, he shifted BEAUTIFUL CHOICE in in an attempt to follow MINGS’ HERO forward as he felt that that horse was travelling better than TOM’S EIGHTH. He said when MINGS’ HERO came under pressure near the 350 Metres, he shifted BEAUTIFUL CHOICE out to obtain clear running. He said after being held up for clear running until near the 200 Metres, BEAUTIFUL CHOICE then closed off the race strongly. G Mossé explained that it had been intended for TOM’S EIGHTH to be ridden in a forward position today. He said after being loaded, TOM’S EIGHTH became fractious and attempted to get out under the front gates. He said when the barriers were released, TOM’S EIGHTH, despite being ridden along, did not show any early gate speed and for this reason got back further in the race than had been intended. He said he was not able to improve his position approaching and rounding the Home Turn and after being shifted out around DREAMS MAKER in the early part of the Straight, TOM’S EIGHTH was steadied when momentarily crowded for room passing the 300 Metres between HEY HA MASTER which was giving ground and ZEZAO. He said after this TOM’S EIGHTH finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of TOM’S EIGHTH after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CHEERFUL DOUBLE had lost its right front plate. TOM’S EIGHTH, REAL SUPREME and SUPER BOBO were sent for sampling.